Traffic Light Replacement in Southampton Anticipated to Take Seven Weeks

Southampton City Council has announced that the replacement of a traffic light system, which ceased functioning in September, is expected to require seven weeks for completion, as the entire setup necessitates replacement. The signals at the Civic Centre junctions with Portland Terrace, Civic Centre Hill, and Havelock Road in Southampton stopped operating on September 13. The council had previously stated that a straightforward repair was not possible because some required components were “no longer manufactured.” The work, scheduled to commence on Monday, will involve the implementation of several restrictions, including temporary traffic signals. Balfour Beatty, a firm that collaborates with the council in managing Southampton’s road network, confirmed that traffic operatives would be present on site during peak hours to assist with traffic flow. A number of road closures and diversions will be put in place. Lorna Fielker, leader of Southampton City Council, explained the extensive nature of the task: “A non-repairable fault has caused the traffic lights to fail and so, in order to overcome that, we need to replace the entirety of that bit of the system.” She further detailed the complexity, adding, “Which is an absolutely huge job, because you need to evacuate and replace underground cables that serve the junction as well as putting in new signal lights.” Ms. Fielker also assured that the work would be carried out “as quickly as possible.”