Traffic hold-ups as freezing buttons mean traffic lights turn red more often are being reported again
(Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)
Motorists are being hit by traffic hold-ups due to frozen buttons on pedestrian crossings again today across Greater Manchester, with reports now being lodged with councils.
The Bee Network, meanwhile, reported ice ‘impacting some traffic signals’ on its website. “Due to ice freezing the push buttons, traffic signals may turn to red more frequently than usual,” read a warning on Friday.
Greater Manchester was plunged into sub-zero temperatures again today as the bitter cold snap continues. Residents woke up to temperatures of around -3C following another icy night, with the mercury not currently forecast to rise above freezing here until Saturday afternoon.
The UK, meanwhile. has recorded its coldest January night in 15 years. In Altnaharra, a hamlet in Sutherland, the most northern region of the Scottish Highlands, overnight temperatures dropped to -14.5C overnight into Friday – the coldest night of the winter so far in the UK.
The pedestrian crossings with buttons that are stuck on in icy weather
The Manchester Evening News told on Thursday of widespread reports of frozen pelican crossing buttons, which are causing traffic lights to turn to red more frequently.
The issue – said to be hitting crossings across the country – was reported in the Rochdale, Littleborough, Middleton, Oldham and Irlam areas.
There were further reports on social media today of residents living near crossings using de-icer and hot water to thaw out buttons at crossings. Hot water bottles were even being suggested.
Hollins Lane, Middleton(Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)
Writing on their Facebook page, councillors in Heald Green, Stockport, said on Friday: “We received reports this morning that the pedestrian crossing by the station is frozen, which is causing the lights to stick on red more frequently.
“This has been reported to the council who are sending someone out to try and rectify this to help keep the traffic moving, especially with the extra traffic due to the continued A555 closure.”
The M.E.N. went to a pedestrian crossing in Middleton during rush-hour – and found frozen buttons at a crossing on Hollins Lane with heavy traffic as a result.
One resident said: “It’s frozen again this morning, stopping traffic on both sides.”
It’s understood that once pressed by a pedestrian to cross, buttons aren’t releasing as they should due to the freezing weather conditions.
The issue is believed to be UK-wide(Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)
Transport for Greater Manchester, meanwhile, said it had been advised the issue was affecting traffic signals across the country, not just Greater Manchester.
In Kent, the county council send engineers out. “Due to the sub-zero temperatures we have had a number of reports of frozen push buttons causing permanent pedestrian demands at traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossings across the county this morning,” said a statement. “Engineers will be working throughout the day to resolve the problems.”
Peter Boulton, TfGM’s Network Director for Highways, said the issue was causing traffic lights to turn red more often.
He said: “We are aware that a number of push buttons on traffic signals have frozen due to a combination of wet weather and sub-zero temperatures. As a result, some of the signals have been turning to red more frequently than usual. We have raised the issue with our signal maintenance company who have advised that the buttons will naturally thaw out.
“We are sorry if this has affected anyone’s journey, however, most delays on the highways network have been due to the impact of widespread ice and snow.”