Cross words as traffic lights left covered up for 7 months

TRAFFIC lights installed to improve road safety have still not been switched on – after seven months.

The pedestrian crossing was installed on Broomhouse Drive to replace a traffic island which was removed in November 2008 as part of diversions for the city's tram works.

As traffic was moved off the city's guided busway, parking restrictions increased the width of road to three lanes, with local residents complaining they were unable to safely get to the other side.

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Keith Bell, secretary of Sighthill, Broomhouse & Parkhead Community Council, said: "The road already had two sets of traffic lights and a traffic island as it was deemed unsafe to cross, so when they expanded it up to three lanes they removed the island and installed another pedestrian crossing – but they never switched it on.

"We had serious reservations about them removing the traffic island and asked for the whole project to be referred to the South West Transport Group for consideration, but they said that there was no time to waste and rushed the diversions through. The traffic island was removed and the traffic lights were put up, but they have been sitting there inactive with orange plastic bags over them."

He added: "The road was already deemed unsafe to cross when it was two lanes and now that it's up to three lanes, with no traffic island, it's even more unsafe."

The community council wrote to the South West Neighbourhood Partnership in January, asking it to intervene.

Tram firm TIE responded to say that it "hoped" that the work would start on 1 February this year.

However, six weeks on and the traffic lights are still inactive, and bosses admit they have no definite date for the lights to go on.

A spokesman said: "The pedestrian crossing was installed as an extra measure to help access eastbound bus services after the closure of the guided busway.

"Unfortunately, we were unable to arrange for power to be supplied in a timely manner and we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. Works to supply power are due to take place in the near future.

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"The letter stated that it was 'hoped' the work would start on 1 February, however due to scheduling difficulties the work needed to be postponed.

"This area is serviced by a full pedestrian crossing at the junction of Saughton Road and Broomhouse Drive.

"The new crossing is an extra measure for convenience to those living and working in the area."

A Scottish Power spokeswoman said the matter was being investigated.

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