PORTISHEAD is poised for a long-awaited red letter day for its notorious red lights.

Monday, September 14, will dawn as the day when the lights at Cabstand are switched off for a four-week trial to see if it eases congestion in the town.

Since the lights were switched on in June 2005 after a nine-month redesign of the Cabstand junction costing £800,000, they have caused nothing but controversy.

But plans have now been drawn up to cover the lights, introduce a 20mph speed limit and install temporary warning signs.

CCTV cameras will also be installed at the junction to monitor traffic flow.

The trial is due to run until Friday, October 9, but the council's new works manager has been authorised to abandon the trial at any point he deems the safety risk to be unacceptable or if there is a collision.

Town council chairman David Pasley said he is delighted the trial is taking place.

He said: "Myself and other councillors will be monitoring the trial to ensure pedestrian safety isn't put at risk.

"I have been campaigning against these lights for four years and am glad the executive is now trying this.

"At the moment drivers actually speed up as they approach the lights if they are on green because they don't want to get stuck if they change.

"Hopefully this will reduce delays and improve air quality in the High Street without as much queuing traffic."

The idea to switch the lights off follows successful trials in Sweden and London.

If it is judged to be a success, the lights could be switched off for good.

North Somerset Council deputy leader and executive member for highways, cllr Elfan Ap Rees, said: "If it proves successful and eases traffic flow in the town then we will allow it to continue to operate after the initial period while we make the permanent changes to the system.

"I would like to think that this experiment may bring an end to the continuing saga surrounding the Cabstand lights."

The lights, which were paid for by marina developers, have been a bone of contention with residents since they were installed.

Many motorists say they cause unnecessary hold ups in the town centre, with drivers often waiting several minutes for the lights to change– causing large queues to build up along the High Street.

However, concern has been expressed that improving the situation for motorists could make crossing riskier for pedestrians.

Residents have twice held public marches through the town calling for the lights to be removed.

The Conservative-led authority pledged to re-examine the issue of the lights as part of its election pledge in 2007.

The authority spent £11,000 employing consultants to draw up a series of options to improve traffic flow at the junction.

Council chiefs had been considering replacing the lights with two mini roundabouts at the bottom of Cabstand and at the top of the High Street at its junction with Wyndham Way.

It had been hoped to introduce a trial roundabout scheme, but this was put on hold after it was decided it was too expensive.

September 14 is an auspicious day for that other Portishead hot topic – the town's open air pool.

The first edition of the five-part Ty's Great British Adventure airs that evening, showing the makeover of the pool.