Traffic lights switch off signals start of Bristol trial
Traffic lights have been switched off in Bristol city centre as part of a £10,000 trial to see how junctions work without them.
The lights at the bottom of Union Street, Broadmead, were "bagged" at 10am yesterday and signs were put up reading "proceed with care" and "crossing not in use".
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Last week, Bristol City Council officers began monitoring the lights where Union Street meets Nelson Street when the lights were still on. CCTV will now monitor driver and pedestrian behaviour for at least a week.
The lights will then be reinstated depending on how successful the trial has been. A report to councillors will follow, comparing safety and traffic flow before, during and after the trial.
The authority agreed to the trials after the Evening Post Put That Light Out campaign last year, which called for a reduction in the number of unnecessary traffic lights in the area.
Transport executive Councillor Jon Rogers has said if trial sites operate without making the roads more dangerous, they could become permanent and may also lead to further trials elsewhere in the city.
The signals at Marsh St/Prince St/Broad Quay junction will be switched off on March 22, having undergone a week of prior monitoring.
Councillor Rogers said: "Firstly, it's important to stress that we've carefully assessed these sites for safety before switch-off.
"The trial is intended to tease out people's reactions so that we can all gain a greater understanding of each other's perspective as road users on wheels or on foot.
"Many motorists do not understand why we need traffic lights at some junctions. Some commentators agree. They think that people in cars can learn to be as good-mannered as they are on foot – letting people cross and pulling out without the need for controls.
"But there are other voices too. Over the next few weeks as we trial this approach, we will hear not only from motorists whose views are already well-documented, but from pedestrians – including disabled people – and in particular those with visual impairment or mobility impairment. If we are looking to reduce signals, we need to carefully consider their perspective."
Mike Holroyd, team manager for Action for Blind People, was in Union Street for the switch-off. When the lights were turned off, he had no way of judging whether it was safe to cross.
He said: "This is a very sad day for Bristol. I am very happy to sit down and have a reasonable discussion with the council about shared space. But putting bags over pedestrian lights is not the way forward."
Keith Firth, from transport consultant Colin Buckanan, said that last week's monitoring study showed that pedestrians often don't obey the crossing lights.
He said: "In the past week we have noticed that pedestrians don't tend to wait for the green man. I have no doubt that at least 50 per cent of people don't tend to wait for the green man."
Mr Rogers told the Evening Post that other traffic flowing measures are in the pipeline. "There are a lot of sites which could potentially benefit from this," he said. "People have mentioned that at night they could be stopped at a red light, when there are no pedestrians, but they have to wait for the light to go green. We are looking at the possibility of part-time lights in some sights."
For more information go to www.thisisbristol.co.uk/putthatlightout
17 Comments
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by Helen, Bristol
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 9:36AM
“How absolutely stupid - yes roundabouts do seem to run more smoothly without lights, but not pedestrian crossings.. A pedestrian WAS knocked down by a bus at this junction on Union Street in 2008 (I believe it was that year) because she didn't use the pedestrian crossing and was clipped by a bus coming around the corner by Next. This is a ludicrous set of lights to turn off, its a hugely busy pedestrian crossing and the only time the traffic is held up there is if it is congested from the bottom of Union Street leading into the centre, I know, I cross over here every day. Lets hope they aren''t proved wrong.”
by Rachael, Bristol
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 10:28PM
“I agree that there's plenty of pointless lights but honestly, turning off union st...are these people certifiably insane?????
Am planning on going to town tomorrow so will have to pop round to see if the crossing has become a giant game of human bowling yet.”
by Pam, Knowle
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 4:42PM
“Why the cost of £10,000 - how can that be explained?
However I do feel that lights on roundabouts should be switched off at night.”
by Riddler, Bristol
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 3:09PM
“"obey the crossing lights"
Pedestrians aren;t required to obey ANY crossing lights, you pillock”
by Anthony Kaye, Coombe Dingle
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 1:40PM
“Bristol Dave is dead right . I can think of half a dozen more sensible locations for turning the lights off. Lets face it -there's always a political agenda behind any Council decision these days.
Bring back the days when Councillors were unpaid and were responsible for mending the roads, unblocking the drains, and lighting the streets!”
by Baffled, Bristol
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 1:40PM
“"Keith Firth, from transport consultant Colin Buckanan, said that last week's monitoring study showed that pedestrians often don't obey the crossing lights.
He said: "In the past week we have noticed that pedestrians don't tend to wait for the green man. I have no doubt that at least 50 per cent of people don't tend to wait for the green man."
Should we really expect pedestrians to wait for the green man - even if it is perfectly safe to cross? Are we to be allowed no judgment at all?”
by Nikki, Brizzle
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 1:03PM
“How long before we get a Breaking News headline "Pedestrian hit by bus on Union Street"?
I'm all for switching off lights at roundabouts, but at busy pedestrian crossings?!! Come on BCC, show some common sense!!!”
by hannah, bristol
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 11:20AM
“I'm not going to make any assumptions, I will wait and see what the outcome is and I think if they get the right combination it will be all good.”
by Charlie, City Centre
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 10:53AM
“Both these sets of lights are in the main for pedestrians, and then secondly for buses......i thought the whole point of these trials ere to turn off lights at off peak times, or where traffic can decide itself, i.e. roundabouts etc This is going to make crossing the road a knightmare for the people less fortunate than the majority, and children/old people. Cllr Jon please respond with some positive action or just admit this is a silly trial using these 2 sets of lights.”
by Alex, Redcliffe
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 10:48AM
“Couldn't agree more Bristol Dave. This scheme will fail and it will be interesting to see how it works on a busy Saturday. The whole point of the 'Put The Lights Out' campaign was to turn off unnecessary traffic signals and street lights ¿ not pedestrian crossings. Like others have said, this will particularly affect the blind and disabled who cannot easily nip across in between vehicles. Temple Circus Gyratory is a brilliant example whereby whenever the lights fail traffic flows freely. However, the council will no doubt argue against this place being switched off due to the pedestrian crossings and the volume/speed of traffic passing through. Totally agree on the bus lanes though. The ones you mention are all set on timers so that cars are stuck while the bus lane is on green even when there is nothing in the bus lane!
Councillor Rogers ¿ what is your explanation for this situation in the bus lanes (other than the obvious creation of congestion, particularly on Redcliffe Way)? Surely every set of traffic lights in the city should be on sensors, not timers, particularly at night. Also, could you please enlighten us on what sites you are looking at for off peak light switch off? Could I please suggest all roundabouts with traffic lights such as every junction coming off the M32 as well as the ring road and many more?”