Bristol City Council announces trial traffic light switch off

Bristol City Council has selected two sites to trial switching off traffic signals. The purpose is to see whether certain signalised junctions can operate safely and more effectively - for pedestrians and cyclists as well as motorists - if the signals are turned off.

The selected junctions are:

• Broad Quay/Prince Street/Marsh Street
• Union Street/Nelson Street/Broadmead

The sites have been selected following careful risk assessments. Both have low vehicle speeds and high visibility, minimising the risk - particularly to pedestrians. Both are also capable of being monitored through CCTV.

The trial is expected to start before Easter, following a period of “before” monitoring. The signals will then be switched off and after a settling in period, monitored for a further period 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 before and during the trial.

Early plans are to bag off the lights and erect signs to inform drivers and pedestrians of the changes.

The council selected these sites from a shortlist of seven. The other five sites failed the risk assessment for reasons such as:

• difficulty for motorists in side roads emerging into heavy traffic
• high speeds
• pedestrian safety and school crossings

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

Councillor Jon Rogers, Executive Member for Transport and Sustainability, said: “Our officers are being innovative and responsive. We have a rare opportunity to test the concept of "shared space" in a busy urban UK setting. I hope we will see a positive effect on road user behaviour. Human beings are, on the whole, polite and considerate. This trial will test such behaviour; removing controls and increasing responsibility on all road users. I am confident that pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in Bristol will show courtesy to each other and keep the junctions safe and flowing freely for all of us.”