FOI Request - Traffic Light Query Relating to Visually Impaired

Request 101003050507

Blind and partially sighted people rely on accessible streets to make walking journeys and access local amenities and public transport links. Their ability to get around on similar terms to everyone else is strongly affected by how the public space is designed and being able to safely get across roads and cycleways is essential to this.

Formal crossings controlled by traffic lights provide blind and partially sighted pedestrians with an accessible signal when it is safe to cross. Having signals about when it is safe to cross the road which are accessible to all senses (sight, sound, touch) ensures pedestrian safety whilst the requirement for traffic to stop at a red traffic signal is reassuring for blind and visually impaired people (and indeed, for many other road users).

However, at the December meeting of the Cross Party Group on Visual Impairment concerns were expressed over the number of faulty traffic lights across Scotland. Instances were given of where either the rotating cone was absent or it or the beep function did not work.

The CPGVI agreed to email each Scottish local authority asking them to provide the following information:

(1)  The number of traffic lights in the local authority area;

(2)  How many have rotating cones;

(3)  How many traffic lights at controlled crossings were broken (either the rotating cone or beep function did not work); and

(4)  What the local authority annual budget is for programming traffic lights repairs.

Response 27-04-2022

(1) 33:  7 pelicans, 3 puffins, 10 toucans, 5 signals with peds, 3 signals with toucan, 1 wig wag and 4 shuttle bridges

(2) 25

(3) 0

(4) £20,500