Traffic Lights
There are two types of traffic lights used on roads in the Borders.
Permanent Traffic Lights
Permanent traffic lights are used where traffic needs to be controlled at junctions between two or more roads. These are controlled
or "phased" electronically in accordance with traffic flows and activated by vehicles through loops set in the road.
Permanent traffic lights are maintained by the Council through a shared maintenance contract with specialist contractors along with 5 other Scottish Councils. You can report a fault with permanent traffic lights on-line or call 01835 825131 to speak directly with a member of our Lighting and Communications Staff.
Temporary Traffic Lights
The second type is the temporary traffic light set which is usually used at road works where traffic needs to be restricted
to one side of the road. The lights allow traffic to flow in one direction at a time. These lights are usually powered by
a portable generator using long lengths of cable or, more often nowadays, radio signals to connect to each traffic light head.
The change sequence can be either time-based or activated by radar sensing the movement of a vehicle approaching the lights.
The responsibility for maintaining temporary traffic lights rests with the person who has put them in place. Permission is required from the Council to do this. If you need to report a fault with a temporary traffic light set, you should contact Lothian and Borders Police giving full details of the location and if possible the name of the hiring firm on the side of the generator.
Further Information and Contact Us
If you would like further information or to contact us about a general traffic light enquiry, please go to our General Information page.
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