As an Old Windsor resident, I have felt the effect of the temporary traffic lights in my post bag and on the unprecedented levels of congestion in the village.  

 

One concern that has been raised with me is the fear that if there had been an emergency the police, fire and ambulance services might have been unable to get through, which could have had serious or fatal consequences.

 

I have to admit that my first instinct is therefore relief that the lights have been removed, and the old road markings replaced for the sake of local residents.

 

On the other hand, given the tragic death at the junction earlier this year, it was right to attempt to consider measures that might have helped and I commend the Parish councillors for doing so in response to demand.

 

However, judging from the many angry letters and conversations in the street, I am somewhat concerned that the trial of these lights was brought forward to a peak time during July, instead of taking the advice of the Royal Borough and waiting until the quieter August period.

 

So it has been good to see local democracy in action, with residents holding their Old Windsor Ward Councillors to account for insisting that the trial was held earlier than advised.

 

I can understand resident’s relief and commend the swift action of the Royal Borough for removing the lights in recognition of problems caused.

 

As a believer in local democracy I would urge residents to continue to ask questions of their local independent Ward Councillors.  This is a local matter, for which local representatives should rightly be held accountable.