London local authority traffic chiefs will push the Department for Transport (DfT) to allow formal trials of ‘flashing amber’ lights at traffic signals, as part of its review of traffic signs. The trial, which would take place during a September consultation, would allow vehicles to turn left at controlled junctions.
The DfT has already had approaches from Transport for London’s urban traffic control chief engineer, Neil Adams, and City of Westminster Council.
Westminster is keen to explore ways of allowing vehicles to keep moving at signalled junctions when there is no risk of conflict with other vehicles or pedestrians. The DfT had been looking at mainland European practice, but it was currently ‘not very happy about it’, Adams said.
London Borough of Ealing transport policy manager, Tim Gould, had seen scope for the system at an A40 junction, which was experiencing long left-turning queues. He was dissuaded by Transport for London on the grounds of other turning opportunities being available.
He suggested a modification that would turn lights to red on detection of a pedestrian.
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