Abbey Road crossing steps into safer future

The zebra crossing in north London that features on the cover of The Beatles' Abbey Road album has been given listed status.

Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr are seen crossing the road in Iain Macmillan's cover shot.

The crossing – outside the EMI studios in St John's Wood where The Beatles recorded much of their output – has been given Grade II listing by Conservative the Heritage minister, John Penrose.

Sir Paul welcomed the news, saying: "It's been a great year for me and a great year for The Beatles, and hearing that the Abbey Road crossing is to be preserved is the icing on the cake."

It is the first such listing of its kind – such status is normally afforded only to buildings – and follows advice from English Heritage. The nearby studios were listed in February.

Mr Penrose said: "It is a fantastic testimony to the international fame of The Beatles that – more than 40 years on – this crossing continues to attract thousands of visitors each year, trying to mimic their iconic Abbey Road album cover."