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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Kate Wilson

Why traffic lights keep going out on Old Market roundabout

Motorists are being asked to allow pedestrians to cross the roads around Old Market Roundabout as traffic lights continue to fail.

There have been multiple reports in recent days of the lights being out on the roundabout, which has caused issues for pedestrians trying to cross the roads.

Motorists are being warned to proceed with caution when the lights are out - which has usually only been for a short period of time.

As of this morning (October 23) signs have appeared on the pelican crossings saying they are not in use.

But just after midday, TravelWest tweeted to say the lights had been restored.

The problems with the lights are down to the work taking place around Old Market

A key part of the scheme is the creation of a new shared path for both cyclists and pedestrians through the centre of the roundabout.

Work will also include widening crossing points at the roundabout, as well as installing LED lighting to illuminate the route and removing the remaining parts of the historic underpass.

Part of the work will also include replacing the traffic lights on the roundabout.

Bristol City Council has said the intermittent problems with the lights are a result of the old cables being encased in concrete, which contractors have discovered during the works.

A spokesperson said: "Improvement works on Old Market roundabout have thrown up old cabling that is coming to the end of its life and is intermittently failing.

"Crews on the ground are responding to these issues as quickly as possible and attempting to isolate the fault to reduce further problems."

Many pedestrians who use the roundabout have said they feel unsafe as they try to navigate the busy roads.

TravelWest has asked for motorists to proceed with caution when approaching the roundabout and allow pedestrians to use the crossings.

Disruption to the the area is expected to last until March next year as the work enters its final stage.

For the latest news in and around Bristol, you can check back on Bristol Live's homepage

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