NAL set to support New College Worcester’s innovative crossing project
Building confidence and accessibility
At NAL, we’ve always believed that good infrastructure should make life safer, simpler, and more accessible for everyone. This belief is shaping a new project that’s especially close to our hearts, as well as being close to home.
We’re proud to be supporting New College Worcester (NCW) in their first-of-its-kind pedestrian crossing. NCW is a national residential school and college for children and young people aged 11 to 19 who are blind or vision impaired.
The college empowers its students to live more independently, build confidence, and develop essential life skills. Their next project will take that mission a step further still.
A first-of-its-kind road crossing for visually impaired students
New College Worcester is planning to build a fully functioning pedestrian crossing on its campus, designed to replicate a real road environment in a safe and controlled setting.
The crossing will:
- Take mobility and orientation training away from busy public roads
- Give students exposure to the different crossing types and layouts found across the Worcestershire road network
- Set a new benchmark for how inclusive infrastructure can be designed in specialist educational environments across the UK
For students learning to navigate the world safely and independently, the ability to practise crossing roads in a realistic but protected environment is invaluable. It’s a project that blends education, accessibility, and engineering innovation. (I.e, exactly the kind of combination we’re always proud to be part of!)
Our contribution to the project
To help bring this idea to life, NAL is donating a range of traffic signal infrastructure products, including:
- Retention sockets, allowing street furniture to be installed and maintained safely without excavation
- A controller cabinet base, providing a secure foundation for the crossing’s control equipment
- Guardrail sockets, ensuring barriers can be installed quickly and adjusted as needed
Alongside these products, our team will also provide practical support and technical guidance during installation. The result will be a high-quality, fully operational crossing – built to the same standards as any public highway.
Proudly giving back to Worcester
This partnership with NCW is part of NAL’s wider corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment. As a Worcester-based business, we take great pride in giving back to the community that’s supported us from the very beginning. For us, this project goes beyond the product donation. It’s an investment in young people’s safety, education, and independence – and a tangible way to use our expertise for good. Emma Montgomery - General Manager for NAL
Looking ahead
The installation of NAL products is due to begin in early 2026. We’re looking forward to seeing the project take shape – collaborating with the college and with other like-minded providers and contractors in our community.
By supporting the road crossing, we can do our part to help nurture education while contributing to safer infrastructure. Watch this space for more details over the coming months!