Tide turning

[Martin Cassini]

In a way, this story about Ealing's ad hoc moves to ease congestion by bagging over lights pre-empts news of our JET (Junction Efficiency Trial). The writer, Ben Webster, was in touch, but I'm not free to name the council backing the JET, so he ran with the Ealing story. It is further evidence that the tide of regulation is turning. NB to return here after reading the story, you need to back tab.

[Stefan Langeveld]

The end of traffic lights has begun. It will be interesting to see how many councils ignore the trial findings.

More positive news: In Utrecht, a lights-off trial which has been running since last July at a single junction has been expanded to cover 8 junctions, although at 4 of these, the lights were left on during peak hours. The move was endorsed by a cyclists’ group which did some good work/research on time loss for cyclists. It balances Ealing councillor David Millican's implication that lights off will primarily benefit drivers. No, done properly, the removal of priority and lights will benefit walkers and cyclists just as much.

At least Boris Johnson is catching on ("I found the traffic lights absolutely insane. Insane!"), but how many officials will find excuses for inaction?

[Mark Wadsworth]

Congrats, I have linked!