Almost 50% of Glasgow traffic signals are out of date and need to be replaced according to a report presented to councillors recently.

There are more than 913 traffic signal installations across Glasgow with approximately 49% of them assessed as needing replacement.

A document presented to the environment and liveable neighbourhoods committee last week revealed that £4.5 million is required to maintain their current condition.

It also states that a further £27.5 million over five years should be considered to replace all ageing installations to provide more low energy LED lights along with fully compliant tactile paving and indicators to support vulnerable road users.

During the meeting, councillor John Carson said: “The report mentions traffic signals which is something I have noticed myself fairly regularly when you see traffic lights on a frequent basis that are out.

“I am concerned to see that 49% of assessments need to be replaced. Do we risk asses that? Obviously I would imagine there is a considerable danger if traffic isn’t adequately managed because traffic signals are going out because they are needing replaced.

“It does say that the current level of replacement remains below steady state value. It would be good to know what that figure is.”

A council officer said they might need to respond later on the details of the investment.

They said: “Traffic signal maintenance doesn’t sit on my team but certainly in terms of replacement of the signals, 49% doesn’t mean they all need to be replaced now and they are not working.

“These signals will be working but what they will be is subjected to more frequent failures which results in our traffic signal contractor having to come out and repair things reactively.

“In time it is best to update those signals. They do need to be replaced but they are not all broken right now and not working. Where a set of signals does go out that is treated as an urgent response.”