Traffic lights - Luton BC

The siting of traffic lights is for control and safety for road users and pedestrians.

Placement of traffic lights follows from Department for Transport (DfT) and Luton Borough Council policy.

Traffic lights may be installed:

Because of possible traffic hazard
To manage traffic flow from new developments, schools, leisure centres. (In some cases developers will finance new signals)

This authority is responsible for maintaining 77 signal controlled junctions and pedestrian crossings. This figure is growing rapidly due to the need to manage traffic on our roads more effectively and safely.

The council's traffic signals maintenance service contractor operates 24 hours daily, including weekends and Bank Holidays.

Repairs are carried out to the following standards:

Urgent faults: attendance on site within 2.0 hours
Less urgent faults: full repair within 1 week
Lamp faults: lamp replacement within 24 hours

In addition, if all the lights on signal-controlled junctions are out, warning signs will be provided, within one hour of being notified of the fault.

So how can we help, firstly:

Where is the problem?
Name of the main road and the side road, or nearest side road.

What is wrong?
Tell us about it

is it at signals or a crossing?
if a lamp has failed, which one, pointing which way?
if the signals don't change was there someone waiting?
are the signals damaged/vandalised, did you see who did it?
is a signal head is pointing the wrong way?
is there any other fault?

Examples of emergency problems

Signals completely out
Signals not changing
Push buttons not working
Red Lamps out
Accident or vandal damage leaving wires exposed or equipment in dangerous condition

To report defective traffic lights in emergency situations telephone the above no.

Who what where and possibly when
The more information you can provide the better.

We would also like to know who you are and a contact telephone number, so if necessary an engineer can ring you back and ask for more information. Often you have seen a lot more than you realise and can help us to find and correct the problem.

To report problems with street lights, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings or illuminated bollards or to complain about the location of, please use the Online form.

Temporary traffic lights
Luton borough council deals with the approval procedure for temporary portable traffic signals placed for two way and multi way working. Apart from the council many other organisations (public utilities, developers etc) working on the highway control the traffic by means of either temporary traffic lights or a manual 'stop/go' board. The council authorises all works that entail the use for portable traffic signals in accordance with the relevant legislation and procedure(s).

A minimum advance notice of five working days is required for two way lights and a minimum of 10 working days for 3 way or multi phase temporary signalisation, from organisations requesting permission to erect and use portable traffic signals.

Complete the online application form for a list of authorised contractors.
If you are reporting problems with temporary traffic lights please contact 01582 54 66 54