Bristol City Council: We support campaign but new lights must go on
The roundabout at the junction of Hartcliffe Way and Hengrove Way has had lights installed ahead of the £100-million Hengrove Park development nearby.
They were switched on yesterday because Bristol City Council says it just is not safe enough without them.
In the last three years, there have been 75 people injured in 53 accidents, roughly one accident every three weeks.
In recent weeks, 700 people have relocated to offices nearby from the city, and the council says that's 700 more pedestrians who need to be protected.
Drivers had complained to the Evening Post about the roundabout lights, claiming they were not needed and would add to congestion.
It was named as one of the sets of lights readers would like to see removed as part of our Put That Light Out campaign to cut back on unnecessary lights in the Bristol area.
The council has pledged to support the campaign with a trial switch-off before the end of the year. Officers are currently looking at potential sites but say this roundabout is not one of them.
Executive member for transport and sustainability Councillor Jon Rogers said: "We want to reduce unnecessary lights, and it's a good idea to start by looking at the ones we haven't switched on yet.
"But we have always said that we must look at the risks before making decisions.
"This one is a clear no-goer.
"The roundabout is too big, the accident rate is too high, and the office population in the area means too many pedestrians.
"But we are identifying junctions that are less speedy and less dangerous.
"We are confident that we can find junctions that we can all share without lights, that make a positive difference to our journeys whether we are walking, cycling or driving."
● We want to know what you think. If you could remove one set of traffic lights in Bristol, what would they be?
To submit your suggestions, email epnews@bepp.co.uk, call 0117 934 3330 or write to Bristol Evening Post, Temple Way, Bristol, BS99 7HD.
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