Bristol City Council is often criticised and we are amongst its biggest critics.

But credit where it is due.

The way the council has responded to our campaign against unnecessary traffic lights is really impressive.

They have listened to what we and many of our readers have said.

And they have acted. Within hours of our campaign being launched, the councillor in charge of transport Jon Rogers had posted a supportive message on our website.

And as a consequence of his involvement, seven junctions are being looked at where lights could be turned off for a trial period.

Officials also deserve credit because they have not gone for easy options. In each case they have selected a junction where there are problems with congestion.

Of course a trial may not lead to the lights being changed. But the council and everyone else will be able to see the effect for themselves.

We already have the example of a similar experiment being a success just down the road in Portishead.

The junction involved is a complicated one yet drivers are showing respect for each other.

The Bristol junctions selected for this trial are less complex but hopefully the motorists using them will show the same understanding.

And if these trials are successful, it could be the start of one of the biggest changes on our roads in a generation.