Balerno residents step out to direct traffic after faulty lights get stuck on red

Residents in Balerno fed up with ‘never ending’ roadworks stepped out to direct traffic, after faulty temporary traffic lights got stuck on red.

Temporary traffic lights at Bridge Road

Locals fed up after months of roadworks, with further works due to start as part of the same project, are furious after three-way lights at the junction of Bavelaw road and Bridge Road were repeatedly getting stuck on red over the weekend, leaving motorists frustrated waiting for them to change.

Concerned local residents took to Facebook page Balerno Cares to express their frustration, while some thanked two local men who stepped out to direct traffic and alleviate traffic queues over the weekend.

Ms Armstrong said: “People have been blasting horns and taking a chance going through. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

One resident named Sandra said on Monday: “It’s a joke. Ron is out there with a neighbour directing traffic as they did yesterday. There nearly was a smash outside our window! Someone from Scottish Water is on their way.”

Others said they were going to make an official complaint to Scottish Water over the problem, which they insist has blighted the area for more than 12 months amid growing concerns that there is no end in sight.

MrMcneil said: “This is getting ridiculous. Lots of shovel leaning and no shows for over a year now. The more people who complain officially the more chance of a speed up of work.”

Scottish Water told residents the work to upgrade water mains in the area which started in August would bring some traffic disruption while temporary lights were in use. They advised it would take three months to complete.

There are additional road works due to start at the lights that link Bridge Road with Lanark Road, about 100 yards from the temporary lights already in place. Scottish Water confirmed that the forthcoming works at Bridge Road/Lanark Road West junction are part of the ongoing project and will follow on from the works on Bridge Road.

One resident said: “Scottish water keep digging the place up. It’s never ending. If we can’t get out using the main road way it is a 5-mile round trip through winding country roads so drivers are getting impatient. It’s driving us all mad.

“The road works started the week after the high schools went back and were originally in front of the school which made the school start and end times absolute chaos. They then moved to the roundabout at the bottom of Johnsburn road. It seemed deserted most of the time, no workers. It seems to be fixed, but it’s been on and off again.”

Work is being carried out by MacKenzie Construction Ltd, on behalf of Scottish Water Horizons, the commercial subsidiary of Scottish Water.

A Scottish Water spokeswoman said: "There was a temporary issue with signal failure between the traffic lights which caused them to be stuck on red. The contractor and the manufacturer have checked the lights and rectified this issue. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. "

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Joy Yates