Unpopular traffic lights to be turned off

TRAFFIC lights on one of Sheffield’s busiest roads are set to be switched off from this weekend, in what is the latest development in a long-running congestion-cutting saga.

The lights on the A61 at Meadowhead, which currently give priority to buses, will be turned off on two forthcoming Sundays.

The lights, which hold private vehicles back at red lights and allow buses – with their own lane and traffic lights – to pass through first, were installed as part of a controversial £4m traffic calming scheme in Woodseats.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, although the changes aimed to cut journey times, the scheme actually resulted in huge traffic jams.

The council’s old Liberal Democrat administration had promised £120,000 to remove the traffic lights completely but the new ruling Labour group is instead to spend £30,000 bagging them up, to save money in the face of huge Government-imposed spending cuts.

Sheffield Council has to save £57m in the coming financial year alone.

A spokesman for Sheffield Council said: “The works to turn off and cover over the traffic signals on Meadowhead, below the Morrisons junction, is planned to happen over two consecutive Sundays.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The dates Street Force have programmed are 5 and 12 February.

“The works have been limited to Sundays for two reasons. Firstly to minimise the disruption to traffic and secondly ensure the safety of the workers.

“The temporary traffic management measures are quite onerous, as some the work is in the middle of the road.

“Also, the above dates are also subject to weather conditions.

“Hopefully we don’t get any severe weather, major disruptions or damage to roads that necessitate diversion of resources to gritting, snow clearing or essential road repairs.”