Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many applications have been made for the installation of permanent traffic lights on the B5345 (Whitehaven) in the last five years.

Installation of traffic lights is the responsibility of the local traffic authority. They do not have to obtain approval to do so from the Department.

Cumbria County Council sought advice from the Department in January 2016 about placing traffic signals on the B5345 at Meadow View, but this did not constitute an application for approval.

Legislation restricts the use of traffic lights to places where there is conflict, either between vehicles or vehicles and pedestrians. This means junctions, places where the headroom or width of the road is permanently restricted, or crossing places. The Department’s view was that this site did not fall within any of these circumstances and Cumbria County Council was advised accordingly.