Update: Traffic lights back on after failure causes long delays on the Eastern Road

Long rush-hour queues built up on the northbound A2030 Eastern Road after the failure of lights at the A27 junction.

Romanse traffic managers said motorists were taking up to 30 minutes to get through the signals at the Farlington roundabout.

It’s the second time in just over a month the traffic lights have gone down in the city.

Motorists were warned to drive with caution on March 29 after they stopped working, along with others on key routes in and out of Portsmouth.

Portsmouth City Council later confirmed this morning’s fault had been resolved.

Road contractor Colas is due to issue a statement.

Portsmouth Tory traffic boss Ken Ellcome said that a pot of money has been set aside to improve the city’s traffic lights system to help get cars moving and ensure congestion doesn’t worsen.

It’s part of a £3m masterplan revealed earlier this year, which will include installing state-of-the-art technology at key junctions known as Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation.

The sensors would work to cut queues at a red signal, by assessing traffic approaching a junction and calculating whether keeping a green light on for longer would be better.

When approaches are overloaded, such as during peak periods, a computer working alongside the sensors would arrange a set of traffic signal timings to maximise the number of cars getting through.

But Cllr Ellcome added he wasn’t aware of this morning’s problems with the Eastern Road lights.