MP calls for review of changes to traffic light timings in Market Harborough
Market Harborough MP Neil O’Brien has called for a review of changes to traffic light timings at junctions in the town.
The MP said he had been contacted by multiple residents regarding changes to traffic light signalling at the junction of The Square/Northampton Road and St Mary’s Road.
Mr O’Brien has now contacted the director of growth, environment and transport at Leicestershire County Council Ann Carruthers calling for an ‘urgent review’ of the changes.
In correspondence seen by the Harborough Mail, Mr O’Brien writes: “The revised signal timings are causing significant queues of traffic and considerable frustration for many drivers.
“While I appreciate that the changes may have been introduced with the intention of improving traffic management, the view from residents, and from my own experience, is that they are not working in practice.
“Concerns have been raised about the impact on traffic flow, as the revised timings have created substantial queues daily where previously there was little congestion.
“The result is longer journey times, unnecessary delays, and a wider impact on local businesses, drivers, public transport and air quality, as vehicles remain stationary for longer periods with engines idling.”
Mr O’Brien added he wanted to know if any monitoring or assessment had been undertaken since the new timings have been introduced, and called on the authority to either reverse the recent changes or implement alternative timings.
A Leicestershire County Council spokesperson told the Harborough Mail: “We are actively investigating congestion concerns around traffic signals at The Square/St Mary's Road junction in Market Harborough.
"Some small technical signal faults have already been fixed and we’re working with our contractor to complete further fixes over the next two weeks.
"Following this, we will also review local traffic conditions as a whole, considering changes if needed.
"We want to reassure residents that we are taking these concerns seriously and are addressing the faults we have identified.”