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Government Looking To Turn Off Traffic Lights At Night
Tue, 29 Mar 2011

Traffic lights in Portsmouth could soon be left flashing on amber as part of new government proposals.

Portsmouth City Council is to apply to the Department for Transport for permission to trial the government body’s plans to test whether unnecessary delays at red lights can be reduced.

The first trial of its kind in the country would involve switching all the lights at a junction to flashing amber at times when traffic volumes are low.

Barry Rawlings, senior traffic systems engineer at Portsmouth council, said, "It can be extremely frustrating if you are on the road at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning and forced to stop at a red light when no other cars are around.

"Turning the lights to flashing amber in these quiet periods would allow motorists to stop and go as they wish and keep delays to a minimum.

"The Department for Transport would need to authorise any trial, so we will be approaching them with a proposal to carry out a trial or join any that may be planned."

Andrew Howard, head of road safety at the AA, commented: "It sounds like a great idea but I have concerns about how a trial can be implemented safely.

"By switching lights to flashing amber you may improve traffic flow, cut journey times and reduce pollution but it is not without its faults.

"First, there is the issue of who has priority if two cars reach the junction at the same time. The idea that drunks and young drivers are going to get to the flashing lights after midnight and say "after you" is nonsense.

"Second, people living in Portsmouth may know about the new rules but people using the ferry ports or travelling into the city for the day would be confused."
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