Headache for drivers over new traffic light layout

The new traffic lights on Durrants Lane, NorthchurchThe new traffic lights on Durrants Lane, Northchurch
The new traffic lights on Durrants Lane, Northchurch
A new set of traffic lights have been causing ‘chaos’ for motorists because they are ‘flawed’, according to residents.

The new lights, which are at the junction of Durrants Lane and the High Street in Northchurch, were installed last month to improve road safety for pupils walking to and from Westfield School.

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But residents who live nearby say the new system is flawed, because drivers turning right out of the junction are being held up by a ‘confusing’ second red light meant to be for traffic coming from Northchurch – resulting in lots of hard-braking, tooting and ‘road rage’.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It’s a simple T-junction, how can the planners get it so wrong?

“I’ve seen plenty of near-misses since they installed the lights and it’s only a matter of time before there’s an accident.

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People will eventually learn to drive through it, but I work from home and all I hear all day at the moment is lots of beeping horns.”

The resident has reported it to Herts County Council, who he says were out inspecting the lights on Tuesday last week.

But car horns are not the only noise issue, as he says the ‘green man’ function on the pedestrian crossing is faulty, meaning the beeping noise goes off constantly – day and night.

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He said: “It’s driving us all mad. I’ve just been down to Boots to buy some earplugs.

“I’ve seen three engineers come out to try to fix it so far but it’s still happening.”

A spokesman for Herts County Council said: “The position of one of the lights in Durrants Lane is causing confusion to drivers making certain manoeuvres.

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Engineers are meeting on site today to plan changes to address this issue.

“Inspections have found no fault with the audible signals for pedestrians.

“We will continue to monitor this but would be grateful if residents could report further problems via our signal fault line on 0800 614 879.”

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