MOTORISTS in the Vale were left furious today when a set of traffic lights were stuck on red causing almost an hour’s wait to travel just half a mile.

Temporary traffic lights on the corner of Arlington Road and South Road in Sully were apparently stuck on red causing traffic chaos earleir today, April 13.

Update 3.50pm: Council apologise for disruption

The council have confirmed the issue is over, with the repairs carried out within 30 minutes.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said: “The Council was made aware of a fault with this traffic light system this morning and an engineer from the company responsible for it arrived within 30 minutes to resolve the issue.

“Both the Council and external company apologise for any inconvenience caused by this disruption.”

One couple, Geoff and Dylith Williams were stuck in the queue.

Mrs Williams explained it was ridiculous as it took them 50 minutes to move from Sully Surgery, through Arlington Road - a distance of 700 yards.

The Williams’ were making their way from Wenvoe through to Penarth, where they live, and had a choice, either go through Dinas Powys on the A4055, or through Sully. They chose the latter, which, on the day, was the wrong option.

Mrs Williams said everyone was waiting to move on the three-way traffic light system, with no one shifting.

“I was going to start to direct the traffic myself,” explained Mrs Williams, “There was not a workman to be seen.

“It’s careless. If there are traffic lights there and no workman who is there in case of an emergency?”

Penarth Times:

Traffic lights on the corner of Arlington Raod and the main road through Sully were stuck on red causing an hour's delay

Update 4.30pm: Dwr Cymru say the traffic lights could be removed tomorrow

Dwr Cymru said they were not made aware of the issue, and that they sent an inspector out on the scene.

A spokesperson said: “Traffic management was put in place yesterday to keep pedestrians and motorists safe whilst our teams carried out repairs to a mains pipe on South Road, Sully. 

"We were not made aware of any issues with the lights yesterday or this morning but we have sent an inspector out to the site to check the lights and they are working as normal.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and thank people for their patience.  Our team is due to carry out reinstatement of the area tomorrow morning and the traffic management system will be removed.”

Mrs Williams said she went on to try do what is nearly impossible these days – speak to someone about the situation.

“The way about trying to inform them the traffic lights are not working is ridiculous,” said Mrs Willliams. “No one wants responsibility.

“All I wanted to do was be able to speak to someone.”