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Slow-Changing Coppins Bridge Traffic Lights Need Time To 'Bed In'

Reported delays at Newport's Coppins Bridge are because newly-installed 'intelligent' traffic lights need time to 'bed in', according to Island Roads.

Works to upgrade signals and pedestrian crossings in the area were finished earlier this month (March).

However, some drivers have told Isle of Wight Radio they've had to sit at the lights for minutes on end because they take 'too long' to change.

Island Roads says the signals needed time to "recognise and adjust for the varying traffic volumes that pass through the junction at different parts of the day."

A spokesperson said:

"The new upgraded traffic signals and pedestrian crossings at Coppins Bridge were expected to take a short period to bed in — in other words for the ‘intelligent’ system to recognise and adjust for the varying traffic volumes that pass through the junction at different parts of the day.

"This process was completed on the 29th of March. The final stage of the process is validation by a third party, which commenced yesterday (30) March and is scheduled for completion on Saturday 2 April.

"It is also worth noting that the new system is not only more ‘intelligent’, it also uses less power which makes it safer and also more environmentally-friendly."

Money for the safety project at Coppins Bridge came from the £477m Highways PFI pot, as provided by the Department for Transport.

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