Touch-operated pedestrian crossing lights to be restored

A measure taken to reduce the risk of crosscontamination and improve pedestrian priority during the global Covid-19 pandemic is being reversed.

In June, Perth and Kinross Council automated various traffic signals and pedestrian crossings throughout the region as part of its successful bid to the Scottish Government’s Spaces for People initiative – a temporary infrastructure programme offering funding and support to make it safer for people who choose to walk or cycle for essential trips and exercise during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Traffic lights at junctions were set with an automatic pedestrian phase, while standalone pedestrian crossings used detectors to identify when someone was waiting to cross and automatically activated a crossing period for them.

The re-calibration meant that traffic lights would turn to red even if no-one was waiting to cross.

However, there were complaints that the automated signals were causing unnecessary traffic hold-ups, congestion and more air pollution from idling vehicles.

The signs informing pedestrians of the automated systems are now gradually being removed and engineers will spend four weeks returning the traffic signals to the way they were previously.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said:“Pedestrian crossings were switched to automatic to help public safety by eliminating the need for pedestrians to touch surfaces unnecessarily.

“As traffic levels have started rising following lockdown we have now, following consultation with elected members, decided to start restoring crossings to their original settings.

“This work will begin in the middle of this month and we will be putting up signs to remind pedestrians of [Scottish Government coronavirus guidance] FACTS.

“It is expected it will take around four weeks to remove the automatic settings from all traffic lights.”