Traffic lights switch-off plan for Bristol to Weston route

Traffic lights along the A370 between Weston- super-Mare and Bristol could be switched off when there are jams on the M5.

The busy road – a main commuter route into the city – often comes to a standstill when there is an incident or roadworks on the motorway.

Now North Somerset Council highway chiefs are considering switching off traffic lights along the route – including the ones at Congresbury, Brockley and Backwell – to help traffic flow should the M5 snarl up.

Light-controlled crossings would remain operational to allow pedestrians to cross the road safely.

The idea has been brought forward as a result of the large tailbacks on the M5 through the district while repairs are carried out to Avonmouth Bridge.

The Highways Agency is carrying out a £7 million resurfacing project on both northbound and southbound carriageways of the bridge, which is not due to be completed until Christmas.

The motorway jams up at peak times – particularly on Friday evenings – causing huge tailbacks and forcing traffic on to the already busy A370.

In August, the motorway came to a complete standstill when 59-year-old Paul Cowling plunged to his death after six and a half hours perched the Avonmouth Bridge.

Police closed off the northbound carriageway of the M5 for several hours, which caused 30-mile tailbacks and brought parts of North Somerset to a standstill.

Highways officers are now looking into the possibility of either switching off the lights on the A370 when problems occur or installing a special device which means they can be controlled remotely.

The idea is the brainchild of North Somerset Council deputy leader and executive member for highways, Councillor Elfan Ap Rees.

Mr Ap Rees said: "I would like it to be possible to either switch off or remotely control the lights in places such as Congresbury and Backwell when there are major problems on the motorway.

"The A370, which is already a busy route, becomes very congested each time there is an incident on the M5.

"At the moment, because of the work to the Avonmouth Bridge, this situation has become worse and being able to amend the traffic signals would help ease congestion at this time. I have instructed our highways officers to investigate the idea and report back."

Mr Ap Rees said he has also had a number of meetings with officials from the Highways Agency to ensure information is passed to the authority about planned roadworks and incidents on the M5.

Mr Ap Rees added: "We need to sit down and talk to each other more to ensure we are aware of any roadworks that are planned which may have an impact on routes across North Somerset."

The idea to turn off the lights follows the success of a similar scheme in Portishead which has seen the controversial Cabstand traffic signals turned off.

The lights were hooded over last month as part of a four-week trial to see if it eased traffic congestion in the town.

Highways Agency spokesman, Robin Miller, said: "We inform the council as a matter of routine when major works are planned for the M5 which are likely to have an impact on the roads throughout North Somerset."