Councils get funds to update old traffic lights

  • Author, Paul Faulkner
  • Role, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Some of a county's oldest traffic lights could be prevented from sudden failure after a successful bid for government cash.

Lancashire County Council has been given a 拢234,000 grant from the Traffic Signal Obsolescence Fund (TSOF), which is intended to enable out-of-date equipment to be replaced.聽聽

Signals that are more than 20 years old are still in operation at some junctions in the county.

A report presented to cabinet members said the improvements might be delivered in the 2025/26 financial year if all the work could not be completed in the next nine months.

The authority missed out on cash from the Green Light Fund (GLF), a related scheme to make its traffic signals "smarter" by better responding to current traffic conditions and improving the flow of vehicles.

However, Blackpool Council will get 拢500,000 from the GLF to help to make the town鈥檚 traffic lights operate as efficiently as possible, along with 拢66,000 of TSOF money.

Blackburn with Darwen Council was allocated 拢555,000 from the TSOF, but will not be receiving anything from the GLF.

Lancashire County Council had previously earmarked 拢150,000 of its 拢32.4m highways capital maintenance programme for 2024/25 for traffic signal improvements.

A cabinet meeting was told the TOSF cash would be reserved solely for traffic light upgrades.

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