TRAFFIC lights on one of Cheltenham's busiest roads were turned off yesterday in a bid to improve congestion time.
Highways bosses covered up the lights in St Margaret's Road near The Brewery at 10am for a three-week trial.
The experiment is being managed by Cheltenham Development Taskforce, Gloucestershire County Council and Cheltenham Borough Council, and will assess the flow of traffic without the lights.
Yesterday afternoon Gloucestershire Highways team was still at the scene working on the changes.
Drivers turning right from Monson Avenue and Dunalley Street junctions onto the main road were struggling, while some pedestrians were at first unsure about where to cross when they realised not all lights were working.
One mum who had no problems crossing was Sarah Bennett.
The 32-year-old said: "I've not had any problem crossing, but the traffic is moving too fast at the moment.
"I do think though older people who can't move as fast might struggle and now the crossings are more than 200 metres apart it could be hard for them." John Stevens, from the town centre, was also unsure about the new measures.
The 57-year-old said: "While the road blocks are here I think it is fine because the traffic is slowing down for them. But, I'm not sure about it permanently if I'm honest.
"I wouldn't want to be a driver turning right on to the road – it looks chaotic at the moment and it wouldn't surprise me if there was an accident involving cars, rather than walkers.
"I'm sure the pedestrians would get used to the new layout and where to cross after time though and there is always a lot of traffic in this area, so cars are generally going quite slowly."
The work was due to be carried out last month, but was postponed while Severn Trent Water carried out emergency sewer works in Bath Road.
Drivers have complained the road's numerous traffic signals create delays. The Cheltenham Development Taskforce believed many people did not like using the area.
Two previous schemes were put off because of concerns over pedestrian safety.
A temporary pedestrian crossing has been installed between The Brewery and NCP car park.
