TRAFFIC lights on one of the busiest roundabouts in Worcester could be turned off in a bid to make traffic flow better.

Serious consideration is being given to switching off the lights on the Bullring roundabout in St John’s after motorists seemed to enjoy swifter journeys through that part of the city when the lights were turned off during roadworks last year.

County councillor Derek Prodger, the man in charge of highways, said he has received requests from residents and fellow politicians asking whether it is possible “to give it a try”.

He said that he will only trial the switch-off when all of the £3.2 million Bromyard Road rapid transit corridor works have been completed.

The work is expected to be completed by June.

When asked whether he agreed traffic flowed better without the lights, Mr Prodger said: “I don’t disagree with that.

“I saw how it worked, but I want to make it clear that I will not be switching off the pedestrian crossing lights. Those will never be switched off.”

Mr Prodger said he now needs to check with his highways team to make sure the traffic lights on the Bullring roundabout can be temporarily turned off independently of others.

He said: “I want to trial it because if it fails, we can switch the lights back on again.”

Meanwhile, Mr Prodger has moved to appease businesses and residents in St John’s concerned about how much disruption there will be during the final phase of the Bromyard Road improvement scheme, which has been paid for by government funds.

We reported last week that there were concerns the work on Bromyard Road, Tudor Way, Broadway Grove and Grove Crescent could take up to eight months to complete and result in prolonged traffic congestion.

Traders also feared there would be a negative impact on businesses in the area and confusion about where buses will stop for passengers.

Mr Prodger said there will be a period in May when Bromyard Road is completely closed off to traffic for up to two weeks while resurfacing works take place, but he is trying to reduce that time frame by getting teams to work around the clock.

“I want to nail that and I want to make sure the surface is as good as the works,” he said.

Before that happens, work to maintain and upgrade the highway in Bromyard Road between Tudor Way and Grove Crescent is due to start this month.

Work to widen a section of Bromyard Road up to the junction of Broadway Grove to create a bus lane of about 100 metres will also be taking place in the near future.