A PERSISTENT fault with pedestrian traffic lights in Evesham’s town centre is causing frustration and significant traffic disruption according to a business owner.
Katie Gilbert, who runs a marketing agency in a nearby office, says that the issue with the lights on High Street is severely impacting town centre visits, local businesses, and making residents’ life a misery.
According to Mrs Gilbert, Worcestershire County Council (WCC) Highways has reportedly acknowledged an ongoing issue with the lights’ sensors, which are giving false readings and eliminating crucial delays between light changes.
The fault means the lights can cycle from red to green and back to red within seconds, often allowing only a single vehicle to pass. When pedestrians press the button, there is no waiting period, even if the lights have only just changed.
Despite numerous complaints lodged with the county council, some dating as far back as 2023, the problem remains unresolved.
On reporting the problem again she was recently told by a call handler that in the last month alone, there were 12 active complaints logged concerning the lights near Lawrence’s Bakery on the WCC Highways website.
Mrs Gilbert, who has been actively raising this issue for the past two years, expressed deep frustration at the lack of response and action from the council’s highways department.
“I have contacted county councillors over the years who have all tried, but nothing has come of it. Our new county councillor Sam Bastow suggested a trial of putting bags over these well-used pedestrian lights and for people to just use Vine Street crossing instead, but I am not sure if that is the solution.
She said also complained that in the two years of reporting the fault to Highways she had never had a formal reply acknowledging the issue.
“It’s so frustrating as a local business owner to see traffic flow through town being strangled by these lights, and even more frustrating that I feel like no one is taking it seriously.”
Mrs Gilbert emphasised the need for immediate rectification, regardless of wider traffic management strategies and said that the impact of the faulty lights was even felt during off-peak times.
“On the quietest of days, you can get stuck in Evesham traffic from the top of Greenhill. Whatever long-term plans there are for traffic improvement, this needs to be fixed as soon as possible,” Ms Gilbert added.
When approached for a response a spokesperson for WCC said that following reports from residents, they had adjusted the timings on the High Street pedestrian crossing.
“We recognise that Evesham is a busy market town and that traffic congestion is the source of much frustration for residents and businesses.
“We continue to look for ways to improve the traffic flow in Evesham for all users and our Engineers are currently exploring other available options,” they added.
Mrs Gilbert, however, disagreed with the statement and confirmed as the Observer went to press that nothing had changed.
