TRAFFIC lights are to be switched off for five hours each night at two roundabouts in the west of the borough.

Lights at the Treacle Mine roundabout and the A1306 roundabout for Lakeside Kating and the shopping centre will be turned off between 12am and 5am everyday as part of a three-month pilot scheme.

The move is said to be for convenience of motorists at night. It is thought many jump the lights in the early hours after getting fed up of waiting at junctions when there is little other traffic on the road.

The night-time switch off will start later this month.

Cllr Andy Smith, portfolio holder for transportation, said: “People who use this road say they think it would be better if the lights were switched off, at least overnight. I fear that some using the road late at night actually jump the lights.

“The best way to find out what’s best for sure is to try it out and that’s exactly what we will be doing.

“We know how the roundabouts work with the lights already and we’ll be able to compare statistics and come to a fully informed conclusion once the pilot is completed.”