NEW traffic lights will be installed at notorious traffic 'pinch points' to reduce congestion in the city, in a "key investment" of £3.2million.

This includes replacing the zebra crossing on Croft Road with a pelican crossing using traffic lights, something which has long been called for by Worcester motorists.

While traffic lights will be upgraded at city centre spots including Dolday, Croft Road, Sidbury, The Commandery and City Walls Road, with technology that better assesses the flow of traffic to adjust signal times.

Money will also be spent on improving cycle lanes and footpaths at these sites.

Worcestershire County Council will receive £3.2million from the Department for Transport to invest in the project, with the aim being to improve traffic and therefore make the city a more attractive prospect for developers and businesses.

Worcester MP Robin Walker said: "This is a really key investment for Worcester city centre, and I welcome the relief it will bring to local residents travelling through the city at peak times.

“Once complete, this project will not only make our journeys quicker and easier, but will also improve air quality in Worcester by improving junction efficiency for smoother vehicle flow and reduced emissions.

"The investment to improve cycle and pedestrian facilities will hopefully encourage more and more people to leave their cars at home and take zero-emission journeys when visiting the city centre."

Mr Walker added: "The changes planned at the Croft Road crossing – moving from a zebra crossing to a traffic light system – will address a notorious pinch point that a large number of constituents have raised with me over the past few years.

"Those of us who have travelled through Worcester regularly at morning and afternoon rush hour know how quickly congestion can back up – and this has had an impact not only on the growth and vitality of the city centre, but also on the quality of the air we breathe, as evidenced by the air quality management areas established at Dolday and St John's.”

This £3.2million investment comes after last week's announcement that the government has given the county council £54.5million to dual the Carrington Bridge on the A4440.

Tackling pollution in the city centre has become a key issue after it was announced that major roads are in breach of air quality rules.

Pollutant levels have been breached in London Road, Foregate Street, The Tything, Castle Street, The Butts and Sansome Place with congestion fumes being the biggest cause.