Our work

What does the Traffic Signal Team do?

We manage permanent traffic signals throughout Shropshire to aid and manage the safe movement of all users across the county. We currently look after:

  • 34 signalised junctions
  • 40 pelican crossings
  • 30 puffin crossings
  • 10 toucan crossings
  • 56 zebra crossings
  • 46 school crossing signs
  • 10 cattle crossing signs
  • 112 vehicle actuated signs

What are the different types of crossings?

  • Signal-controlled junctions are normal traffic signals at junctions that give priority to different streams of traffic. Most also include facilities to control pedestrian crossing.
  • Pelican crossings have the green man indicator at the opposite side of the road to the pedestrians. These crossings have a flashing green man and a flashing amber traffic light.
  • Puffin crossings have a pedestrian indicator on the same side as the pedestrian. There is no flashing green man or flashing amber traffic light.
  • Toucan crossings allow both cyclists and pedestrians to cross and show green cycle symbol and a green man.
  • Zebra crossings are designated places for pedestrians to cross the road. Belisha beacons -- amber-coloured globe lamps on top of black and white pole -- offer extra visibility to zebra crossings for motorists, particularly at night.
  • Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) are the electronic displays that flash up the speed limit, or other sign to give a clear warning of an approaching hazard. The signs are usually activated at a pre-set trigger speed by the approach of a vehicle.

In addition to the above, we also operate an urban traffic management and control system, which connects a total of 12 signalised junctions in two corridors, one through Shrewsbury town along the Smithfield Road corridor, and the other on the Whitchurch Road/Battlefield Road approach to Shrewsbury.

There are a number of sites which are remotely monitored, so that most faults are reported automatically and repaired promptly for public safety and network efficiency.

There are eight sets of traffic lights or pedestrian crossings to be found on the Highways Agency network in Shropshire:

  • A49:
    • A toucan crossing on the bypass to the south of the Rocks Green/Henley Road roundabout in Ludlow
    • A toucan crossing on the bypass to the south of roundabout servicing Sheet Road, Ludlow
    • A puffin crossing adjacent to the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms
    • A puffin crossing adjacent to The Craven Arms public house in Craven Arms
    • A signalised junction on the A49 at Church Stretton
    • A puffin crossing on the A49 in Dorrington
  • A5 Shrewsbury bypass:
    • On the signalised roundabout approaches where the A49 intersects the A5 at Dobbies roundabout
    • On the signalised roundabout approaches where the A458 intersects the A5 at Emstrey roundabout

If you see a problem with any of these sites you should advise the Highways Agency directly.

What has the service achieved?

  • We've improved operation and co-ordination of traffic signals in our major towns
  • We've been updating equipment to enable the use of more intelligent traffic control systems to respond to live demands, and minimise congestion and delay
  • We've made changes to the equipment installed to take advantage of new technologies, which has already shown significant reductions in our energy consumption

Our duties

We're responsible for:

  • Providing and/or approving designs for new traffic signal installations in the Shropshire area, from feasibility studies to implementation and commissioning
  • Advising on technical aspects of any contract requiring provision of traffic signal equipment
  • Taking, recording and acting on everything necessary to affect a speedy repair of any traffic signal equipment faults reported to Shropshire
  • Administering the maintenance contract for repair of all signal equipment, which is currently operated by Imtech UK
  • Checking on the standard of any completed repair

In Shropshire, as elsewhere, the volume of traffic continues to grow and it has become increasingly important to provide a safe environment for pedestrians.

How do we monitor and repair traffic lights and crossings?

There are a number of sites which are remotely monitored so that most faults are reported automatically and repaired promptly. However, we also encourage people to contact us to report any faults with lights or signals.

Maintenance of all signal equipment is currently carried out Dynniq (formerly Imtech UK) on behalf of Shropshire Council. We record any faults, then instruct Dynniq to carry out a speedy repair. We’ll then check on the standard of the completed repair. Repair of signals is prioritised based on the type of fault to make sure that any fault which causes immediate danger is dealt with first; for example, a red light that isn’t working.

Note: Traffic signals or pedestrian crossings on the A49 south of Shrewsbury, and on the A5 Shrewsbury bypass, are the responsibility of Highways England. If you see a problem with any of these sites you should advise Highways England direct.