A CONTROVERSIAL set of Whitehaven traffic lights were due to be taken down yesterday after highways chiefs were denied permission to make them permanent.

The lights, on the busy Meadow View/Low Road just outside the town centre, have divided opinion since they were installed last year. 

Initially put up on a trial basis, it was hoped that the lights would alleviate the long-standing traffic problems on the narrow road that allows motorists to use only one lane at a time due to cars parked on the other.

However, Cumbria County Council has now been told by the Department of Transport (DfT) that the lights have to come down - and an alternative solution must now be found.

Amber Sykes, the council's highways network manager, said: "The DfT says that the lights can't become permanent because we can't create a shuttle lane for parking purposes.

"So we have to remove the lights, and that will be done on Tuesday morning after the bank holiday weekend.

"But we aren't abandoning Low Road - money is set aside in this year's budget for work to take place - and we will continue to try and resolve the problems. 

"We'll be putting some new proposals to residents and developing things from there."

Among those opposed to the lights is Dawn Oliver, whose family runs the Westways Garage on Low Road and also lives on the road.

She said: “At busy times, the lights cause tailbacks right into town as far as Iceland supermarket one way, and as far as Monkwray School the other.

“There are days I can’t get my car off my drive due to the gridlock, and I know others have the same problem. We’ve also suffered damage to our cars by the volume of traffic that use the road.” 

The council says however that feedback to the lights has been largely positive, and had been considering making them permanent.

Meadow View resident David Simpson said: “We have seen a vast benefit from the lights with no road rage and residents’ cars no longer being damaged. 

“I’ve had neighbours whose cars have been damaged in the past and I can’t see why any residents would oppose making them permanent.”

Many feel that widening the narrow road would solve the issues, however the council has said previously that the cost would run into the millions.