Turning off selected traffic lights in towns and cities outside of busy periods is to be seriously considered, Transport Minister John Hayes has said.

Conservative MP for East Yorkshire Sir Greg Knight called on the Transport Minister to look at signals which cause unnecessary traffic jams during a House of Commons debate about congestion.

Sir Greg is calling for the Government to initiate a traffic light switch off trial in towns and cities across Britain.

He asked if Mr Hayes was aware that “thousands of motorists travelling at non-rush hour times often find themselves stuck in a traffic jam at traffic lights for no reason whatsoever”.

“Why cannot some of these traffic lights be turned off, as is done in other countries?” he added.

Mr Hayes responded: “We do not have plans to do what he says, but I will certainly consider it.”

Sir Greg’s proposal follows a report called ‘Green Light’, published this autumn by the Greater London Assembly Conservatives group. This recommended turning off traffic lights in the capital between midnight and 6am.

TP Weekly News (issue 105) reported a mixed industry response to these plans, with safety and a lack of likely benefits the main causes for concern. Sir Greg rejected claims that such actions would lead to an increase in accidents however.

He added: “Most motorists driving at night have experienced being unnecessarily held up at traffic lights when there is no other traffic or pedestrians seeking to use the junction. We should manage our roads in a better way to reduce unnecessary and costly delays to motorists.”

(Photo: Kate Fisher)