MPs back campaign to turn off Bristol traffic lights

“I remember many years ago driving in the USA (and in Europe for that matter,) two things I thought were a good idea and hoped they would be introduced in UK..but of course NEVER materialised!..(1). , being able to turn right against the RED and (2)EVERY junction displayed a flashing AMBER in less busy times.allowing you to proceed with caution...Maybe if this HAD been introduced, the mess we are in would not be so severe?”

“Well they're al installing even more traffic lights at the Hartcliff Roundabout, never mind reducing them.

Traffic lights on roundabouts can sometimes be a silly idea, even if we can't get rid of al of them, at least turn them off at night or when it's quiet. I'm sick of waiting at red traffic lights when there is no trafic in either direction for miles.

Think of the pollution and electricity it will save.”

“"Some positive things you can do about this."

Yes, 'Londoner'. There's also something positive YOU can do for the people of the West country. 'F*ck off back to Landaan Taaaaan you Cockney stroker.

Savvy?”

“Where were these MP's when all the congestion creating traffic lights being installed, costing us a fortune in council tax? How much was spent installing the lights on Hicks Gate roundabout, are they now going to be turned off? Absolute joke the lot of them, where are the professionals to put this traffic chaos to bed once and for all.”

“Call me cynical, but would this campaign to turn off traffic lights have got off the ground if we didn't have a financial crisis? I think we can guess!
When it's over the traffic management boyos will go back to their old ways ,spending our money like water, while we oh-so-patient
law abiding Brits continue to queue up at their wretched pointless traffic lights”

“Most people know that Bristol is one of the nation's car parks A couple of Fridays ago, it took a busload of us nearly 2 hours to get from Bath to Bristol on the A4.

Some positive things you can do about this. Press the govt for a transport for London type authority. Use cars less; cycle, walk, catch the sparse buses - if you start saving now, you'll be able to afford fares..... ;-) No amount of turning offf traffic lights is going to help sheer laziness and car dependence.”

“You can't eliminate risk from life. But wouldn¿t it be safer for all of us, including our children and blind people, if we could negotiate movement on roads where we are watching each other rather than watching lights? Lights take our eyes off the road and encourage drivers to speed to avoid another red - hardly a recipe for safety! The fatal flaw at the heart of the system is the rule of priority. It produces a "need" for lights - to break the priority streams of traffic so that others can cross - in apparent but not guaranteed safety. Terrible accidents occur at lights. As social beings, we want to take it in turns. Remove priority, and suddenly we can be sociable. The "need" for lights and the need for speed disappear. We are free at last ¿ free to do what is natural, efficient, and intrinsically safe: approach carefully, and filter more or less in turn. It's good that the Post has picked up my campaign, and I¿ve suggested they sponsor a public meeting. For more about the critique of the current system, and the rationale for change, see FiT Roads, where there is a link to the film which inspired Portishead to take action.”

“funny though Kerry McCarthy's bosses like to keep the lights on red because it rakes in more TAX.

Hasn't it been government policy to not introduce the 'green light' traffic flow measures (which would help reduce co2) and reduce journey times for this very reason?”

“Totally support Kerry McCarthy with regards to the roundabout near Temple Meads.

I think some things that can be done straight away are changing every set of lights in Bristol to peak hours only. Outside of Monday-Friday rush hours it is never busy enough. This can be implemented immediately with any sets of lights planned to be installed.

To James - there is a risk in everything. But I would argue, particularly with light controlled roundabouts, that the lights make things more dangerous, especially when drivers continue going through after the lights have changed to red as well as relying on the lights and not paying attention as much to what is around them. Without lights they would have to slow down and be more aware of other vehicles on the roundabout (a device which worked for years perfectly well before lights started being installed to create congestion by the council).”

“The Post is doing a great job in raising the issues, seeking comments and feedback and securing cross party support for some innovative thinking in Bristol.

But as James, South West at 11:32 says if we have "a fatal accident at one of the junctions where the lights have been switched off [we] will all look for someone to blame for switching off THOSE lights"!

The questions remain ".. will it work safely in Bristol? Is it too busy? Would people start to drive, cycle and walk with the well-being and safety of others in mind?"

The big question is do we think that the road users of Bristol would be up for some trials and experiments? There is a risk as James points out, but there is also the possibility of a wonderful prize with us all happily sharing our roads in safety.

Jon”