Imagine being stuck in endless traffic, frustrated and late, all because of a set of traffic lights that seem to have a mind of their own. This is the reality for the residents of Banwell, a North Somerset village, where temporary traffic lights have become the bane of their daily commute. But here's where it gets controversial: the company behind these lights, Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS), insists they’re functioning perfectly, despite locals claiming otherwise. And this is the part most people miss—could the weather really be to blame, or is there more to the story?
The issue began when drivers noticed the lights on the A371 (Knightcott Road) frequently stuck on red, causing delays of up to an hour. Chantelle Fox, a local resident, shared her frustration with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, stating, ‘At the start of this week, the lights were stuck on red for a considerable length of time. Some people were stuck there for over an hour.’ She added, ‘I’ve been told by the company that maintains the lights that it’s the weather, which is completely ridiculous—we live in England!’
Steve Voller, chair of Banwell’s parish council, believes the problem is exacerbated by drivers ignoring the red lights, further confusing the sensors. ‘I’ve been caught in them for 15 to 20 minutes, and others even longer,’ he said. To address the issue, ITS has placed signposts near the queues, instructing drivers to call them in case of light failure. However, the company maintains that the long wait times are due to ongoing roadworks and denies that the lights have ever malfunctioned.
But is it really just the weather and roadworks, or could there be a deeper issue with the traffic light system? ITS claims all their lights undergo rigorous testing and are remotely monitored, with engineers adjusting timings to improve traffic flow. Yet, locals remain skeptical, pointing to the persistent delays and the lights’ apparent inability to handle rainy conditions.
The traffic lights are part of a larger £105 million project to build a bypass around Banwell, a village plagued by congestion since 1754. With two A-roads funneling traffic into the village, where roads narrow to a single car width, the bypass has been a long-awaited solution. First proposed in 1927, the project finally gained approval in 2023, with construction well underway. Galliford Try, the contractor, acknowledges past issues with the lights and has installed new equipment to improve traffic flow. They emphasize that the lights are essential for worker safety and the future benefits of the bypass, which will reduce congestion and enhance local travel opportunities.
While residents like Ms. Fox are willing to endure short-term hassle for long-term gain, the current situation has tested their patience. ‘We signed up for some hassle, but not to this extent,’ she said. Mr. Voller remains optimistic, stating, ‘Hopefully, it’s short-term pain for long-term gain.’
So, what do you think? Are the traffic lights truly faultless, or is there more to this story than meets the eye? Could the weather be a convenient excuse, or is the real issue a lack of proper system design? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this contentious issue!
