A set of traffic lights in the centre of Bristol have been switched off, in an experiment to see whether it improves the flow of traffic.

The lights at the bottom of Union Street in Broadmead were turned off this morning.

Bristol City Council want to measure how efficiently the junction now works without the signals.

Listen to a report by Jess Avis by following the link at the top of the page:



Councillor Jon Rogers is Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability. He said: "Firstly it's important to stress that we've carefully assessed these sites for safety before switch-off.

"The trial is intended to tease out people's reactions so that we can all gain a greater understanding of each other's perspective as road users on wheels or on foot.

"Many motorists do not understand why we need traffic lights at some junctions. Some commentators agree. They think that people in cars can learn to be as good-mannered as they are on foot - letting people cross and pull out without the need for controls.

"But there are other voices too. Over the next few weeks as we trial this approach, we will hear not only from motorists whose views are already well-documented, but from pedestrians, including disabled people - and in particular those with visual impairment or mobility impairment. If we are looking to reduce signals, we need to carefully consider their perspective."



However, Mike Holroyd, from Action For Blind People, based in Bedminster, does not think it is safe:

"Putting a bag over a perfectly decent set of working traffic lights is not going to prove anything, and the people for whom it's not going to prove anything the most are actually the people who most need them. That is blind and partially sited people, disabled people and old people who need the existing priorities we have to help in a journey."

In a seperate test, the signals on Broad Quay at the junction with Prince Street will also be turned off on 22 March 2010.

For more information about the current consultation, follow this link:

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