Bristol traffic lights shortlisted for switch-off

Seven sets of traffic lights have been put forward for a potential switch-off trial by Bristol City Council.

The authority has selected the lights in response to the Evening Post Put That Light Out campaign, that calls for a reduction in the number in the Bristol area.

Depending on feedback from the public and a safety assessment, three sets of lights could be switched off for up to six weeks in the new year.

Two sets are in the city centre, the rest are in Clifton, Bedminster, Eastville, The Downs and Whitehall.

The council is considering 24-hour and off-peak switch offs, depending on public response. If congestion is reduced without harming safety, the council may then consider more sites across the city.

In putting forward seven sets of traffic lights for a potential switch-off trial, the city council's member for transport says he is throwing down a challenge to the people of Bristol.

Switching off traffic lights puts the responsibility for road safety squarely on the shoulders of the individual.

Instead of being told what to do by red or green lights, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists must all be more considerate of each other.

The question Councillor Jon Rogers is asking the people of Bristol is, "Are you ready for that responsibility?"

Mr Rogers voiced his support for the Put That Light Out campaign within hours of the launch last month.

Within a week he said the council would look at carrying out trials, and two weeks after that we have a shortlist of seven.

Up to three could be chosen for trial in the new year.

Mr Rogers has stressed that any trials would be subject to risk assessments, and if the authority does not think it is safe they will not move forward.

But he is keen on the idea of 24-hour switch-offs and is already talking about a second phase of trials if this one is successful.

The first seven sets of lights are spread out across the city, and are deliberately intended to test the water rather than tackle the busier junctions first.

In the city centre they are located at the Prince Street roundabout by Broad Quay, and the junction of Union Street and Nelson Street in Broadmead.

Saville Road and Stoke Road near Westbury Park is a four-way junction, as is Whiteladies Road and Tyndall's Park Road in Clifton.

The junction of East Street and British Road in Bedminster is a busy pedestrian crossing.

The lights at Averay Road and Bell Hill in Eastville, and the lights at Chalks Road and Whitehall Road in Whitehall are the final two options.

All but the Clifton option were chosen by council officers, in response to feedback from Evening Post readers.

The Whiteladies Road crossing, by the BBC building, was a seventh choice put forward by Mr Rogers.

He believes this one is the least likely to be adopted this time, but could be considered in a second phase of switch-off trials.

He said: "We wouldn't be doing this if the Evening Post hadn't said there is a question here.

"Portishead has shown us there is a question here from their experience with Cabstand, people have been saying this in Bristol for years. You turn around and there is another set of traffic lights, do we really need them?

"People don't like being controlled.

"At the moments lights are supposed to control behaviour. We all know that doesn't always happen.

"We all know a pedestrian taps his watch waiting for the lights to go green and crosses the road.

"He moves on and then the driver sees red lights. Bikes go through red lights because there is no-one coming.

"We have behaviour where cars see green lights and they think they can get through that before it goes red, so they speed up.

"If we take the lights out, will pedestrians, cyclists and drivers look after one another?

"That's the question. Will the road users of Bristol be up to that shift in responsibility?

"That responsibility belongs with everyone."

The council will consider feedback for the rest of the year, and if trials go ahead, traffic would be closely monitored for a week or so before, during and afterwards to see what the effect has been.

There will be a cost involved, particularly if CCTV cameras are used. Mr Rogers estimates this could be between £10,000 and £20,000 depending on how many trials go ahead.

He said: "We want feedback from people on how they think they would behave if the lights were switched off.

"Someone might say, 'You can't switch them off, that's mad'.

"We're not just going into this with our eyes closed.

"We could be looking at zero, one, two or three trials. We may not do this but I am keen.

"Officers say all were put in for a reason, whether that was to improve safety or reduce congestion, why do we need to switch them off?

"There is concern that if we switch them off there would be an accident, and there are questions about whether we would be liable for that.

"We have to be confident they are safe and have an impact on congestion. We want to test out the theory and move out to others if it proves acceptable."

Suggestions for phase two trials include Zetland Road and Gloucester Road, the junction by Clifton Down shopping centre and the lights at Clifton Triangle.