AN automated traffic lights system intended to improve traffic flow is still causing problems for drivers.

The SCOOT system in Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, was criticised last month after traffic flows appeared to get worse.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said the system was not faulty but claimed small tweaks to settings had caused a knock-on effect for motorists.

But now, commuters in Belmont Road are having to wait up to 20 minutes and for nine separate traffic light changes before they can get onto Blackburn Road. One bus passenger said: “It takes an age to get from the Brewery Tap pub to Blackburn Road. On one set of light changes, only one lorry got through.”

Cllr Norman Critchley added: “The system is completely disorientated. People are queuing up Hospital Road and through Egerton.

“The SCOOT system, when it is working properly, is very good but it’s a mess at the moment. It has been paid for with taxpayers’ money and TfGM needs to pull their finger out and get it sorted.”

SCOOT is an automated system for managing and controlling traffic signals in urban areas and uses detectors embedded in the road.

It is controlled by the Greater Manchester Traffic Unit, which manages traffic across the region, and is part of TfGM.

There are about 40 of the “smart systems” across Bolton. TfGM said there were “no problems with the operation of the SCOOT system”

but adjustments had been made to achieve the best balance of timings across all the junctions.

A spokesman said: “We recently made changes to one set of signals in response to excessive queuing on one arm of the junction.

“This had an effect on another armof the junction, which meant that further changes were required to balance the queues on the different approaches.”

Bosses stressed they would closely monitor the situation.

Cllr David Chadwick, TfGM committee member for Bolton, said: “When I became aware of the issue I wrote to TfGM asking for an explanation and I’m still waiting for a reply.”