CAMPAIGNERS fighting to have traffic lights removed from a Northumberland town are sensing victory following a meeting of a review group.

The Lights Out! group at Morpeth claims a consultant leading a review of the town’s lights gave them hope at the meeting that a reinstatement of a mini-roundabout may be on the cards.

The campaigners say that 95% of 1,800 people who have responded to their survey want the lights removed, and that almost 70% say they are visiting the town less as a result of them.

Northumberland County Council last night said the experimental removal would be considered by itself and the consultant.

The lights at the Telford Bridge junction were installed in place of a mini-roundabout in April last year as part of plans to develop a new supermarket.

But they sparked an outcry, with public meetings and a protest march calling for the roundabout to be reinstated. Almost 2,500 people signed a petition.

The anger forced Northumberland County Council to set up an independent review of the lights, led by traffic expert Phil Jones.

Lights Out! chairman David Towns said: “What was made clear by Phil Jones was that the council’s own data proves that the lights cause unusual congestion patterns and have probably led to increased use of rat runs in the town.

“Phil’s own assessment of the junction is that it is too tight for larger vehicles, and in our view the safety implications of that are clear to see.

“More importantly for our campaign, and for the people of Morpeth, was the consensus that the lights could be taken out for an experiment to see if congestion and safety improves.”

Lights Out! has been conducting a survey to find out local people’s opinions on the lights. Group member David Clark said: “This can’t be ignored any longer, and so the proposed removal of the lights is a major victory for us and for all of the people who have supported our campaign over the last year.

“Local businesses will also be overjoyed at this news.”

A council spokeswoman said: “There was considerable support from the group for removing the traffic lights at the end of Telford Bridge on a trial basis and this will be considered by the consultant and the council.”