Lights out as two Bristol junctions selected for trial switch-off

Two sets of traffic lights in Bristol city centre will be switched off before Easter as part of a trial that could lead to their permanent removal.

The two locations are the junctions of Broad Quay, Prince Street and Marsh Street near Harbourside and where Union Street meets Nelson Street in Broadmead.

The announcement comes just a few months after the Evening Post launched its Put That Light Out campaign, which called for a reduction in the number of unnecessary traffic lights in the area.

The council chose the two sites from a shortlist of seven, carried out risk assessments on each and asked for public feedback. Both trial sites were chosen to test the water for switch-offs across Bristol.

The purpose of the trial is to see whether certain junctions can operate safely and more effectively – for pedestrians and cyclists as well as motorists – if signals are turned off.

If it proves successful, more sites could be included at a later date.

The council said both sites have low vehicle speeds and high visibility, minimising the risks. Both can also be monitored through CCTV.

The Broadmead lights are at the bottom of the Union Street dip – at the junction where Tesco Metro is opposite H&M with Odeon Cinema above – at a popular pedestrian thoroughfare.

The Broad Quay lights are at the roundabout near the Thai Edge restaurant.

Both sets of lights will be monitored before they are switched off so council officials can make a comparison.

The signals will then be switched off and, after a settling-in period, will be monitored for comparison, although they will be observed for safety reasons at all times.

The council will measure the impact on traffic flows, including the effect on bus, cycle and pedestrian movements.

Early plans are to put bags over the lights and put up signs to inform drivers and pedestrians of the changes.

The rejected junctions were Saville Road and Stoke Road near Westbury Park; Whiteladies Road and Tyndall's Park Road in Clifton; East Street and British Road in Bedminster; Averay Road and Bell Hill in Eastville; and Chalks Road and Whitehall Road in Whitehall.

The other five sites failed the risk assessment for reasons including difficulty for motorists in side roads emerging into heavy traffic, high speeds and pedestrian safety and school crossings.

CCTV monitoring was also an essential element, which discounted some junctions.

Executive member for transport and sustainability Councillor Jon Rogers said: "I am confident pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in Bristol will show courtesy to each other and keep junctions safe and flowing freely for all of us."

Our campaign was launched after a successful switch-off of lights at Portishead cabstand.

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