‘Intelligent’ traffic lights keeping traffic flowing though Lyndhurst high street

NEW ‘intelligent’ traffic lights in a Forest village blighted by congestion seem to be easing the problem, a district councillor has said.

As reported by the A&T, Lyndhurst residents say “incessant” rat-run traffic occurs when motorists attempt to avoid the main route through the village.

Annette Booth, who has lived in Emery Down for around 50 years, previously told the A&T at rush hour and weekends the traffic was “horrendous”.

Recently this had been exacerbated by problems with the outdated traffic lights in the High Street, in addition to temporary lights while the new ones were installed.

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “Unfortunately, temporary lights do not have the same sophisticated sequencing technology as permanent lights, which is why road users were seeing some delays at busy times of the day.

“The traffic signals at Romsey Road / High Street in Lyndhurst were relatively old and had reached the end of their maintainable life. The new lights are more energy efficient and offer more intelligent configuration to help with traffic flows, making journeys smoother for local people.

“The opportunity was also taken to improve the junction layout to meet the latest standards.”

Cllr Hilary Brand, district councillor for Lyndhurst, who has been supporting residents with ongoing traffic problems impacting the area, told the A&T the situation had improved.

“So far, feedback is good,” she said. “Now Lyndhurst can get back to being a great place to live, work and visit again.”

She added a recent meeting with Hampshire Highways, New Forest District Council and the New Forest National Park Authority to discuss a transport plan for Lyndhurst had gone well.

“Hampshire County Council has managed to get resources to start work on pulling together data and will be carrying out a walk around the village soon,” she said. “So currently I feel like some progress is being made, which is great.”