News / SIC must sort out traffic light woes, says convener
LERWICK’S malfunctioning traffic lights are an “embarrassment” and must be sorted out urgently, according to Shetland Islands Council convener Malcolm Bell.
His comments came as councillors agreed to delay the start of a consultation on introducing a 20mph speed limit in the town centre.
Bell said: “They are an embarrassment, to be honest, in the capital of our islands to have these covered lights all over the place. We absolutely have to sort this issue.”
Councillor George Smith pointed out that four of Lerwick’s 10 sets of traffic lights were not working on Tuesday morning.
“Why have we allowed this situation to persist without getting these pelican crossings fixed?” Smith asked. “And if they can’t be fixed, what are we doing about it? Is there enough in the budget to do what is required?”
Council roads maintenance manager Dave Coupe explained that each set of lights in the town is now so old that manufacturers are unable to supply some replacement parts.
One new set of lights is due to arrive in February, which Coupe said would replace the crossing at Bolts. But to replace all 10 would cost around £150,000 and he doesn’t have the budget to do that straight away.
Meanwhile members of the environment and transport committee voted 4-3 in favour of Robert Henderson’s amendment to postpone consulting on measures to slow down traffic in the centre of town.
Committee chairman Allan Wishart had wanted to press ahead and avoid being seen as “another dithering council”.
Officials had wanted to garner feedback on introducing a 20mph zone, and replacing some pelican crossings with zebra crossings.
That was prompted by a disproportionately high number of accidents – 19 in the past decade or so – that have occurred in the area since the turn of the century.
Officials point out that tackling such an “accident hotspot” is one of the local authority’s legal duties.
Roads engineer Colin Gair said he felt the changes would be a “positive step to enhance the pedestrian environment”.
“If we can reduce vehicle speeds we are likely to reduce the number and severity of accidents,” he said.
But Henderson called for legal advice on what penalties the council may face if it was not seen to be dealing with the situation.
He wants more information on plans to examine the council’s approach to traffic calming throughout the town.
Henderson was also concerned at an estimated cost of between £100,000 and £150,000 to introduce the scheme.
“I have reservations about this when we’re counting our pennies,” he said. “It seems a lot for what we’re achieving.”
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