Traffic Lights Could Get the Chop

Acton High Street lights no longer "useful"

Transport for London have identified 145 sets of traffic lights and pedestrian crossings that could be removed across the capital including the lights situated at the junction of Acton High Street and Birkbeck Grove; and Abbey Road/Coronation Road in Park Royal.

The other three in Ealing are:

Popes Lane / Lionel Road
King Street / Western Road / Havelock Road
Popes Lane / Elderberry Road

The locations released to the London Assembly are described as an "initial list" of lights that are no longer considered "useful" by TfL.

A further 44 traffic signals around the A40 Western Avenue, Hanger Lane Gyratory, Ironbridge and Southall will also be reviewed during the next four years.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has also announced plans to change crossing times and is trialling "countdown timers" in eight locations across London were the display will show pedestrians the time between the green man symbol going out and the red man appearing.

Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London's transport adviser, said: "There are few things more annoying than sitting at a traffic light on red for no apparent reason and we've now identified 145 sites where we think the signals may no longer be doing a useful job.

"By getting rid of them, we hope we can smooth traffic flow across London and deliver real improvements for all road users."

But Labour Assembly member Val Shawcross, who obtained the list of traffic lights and pedestrian crossings under threat, said: "The Mayor should be extremely cautious about taking out pedestrian crossings and reducing crossing times from London's roads.

"Pelican crossings are there for the safety and convenience of people on foot but they make up half of the lights proposed for removal. If anything we need more safe places to cross busy roads; not less. Pensioners, those with disabilities and parents of young children might not shout as loud as car drivers but they're ones who stand to lose out under these plans."