Prepare for the red light revolution

New hi-tech facilities to help pedestrians cross busy roads could also be installed.

Boris Johnson demanded rephasing of traffic lights in May, in one of his first acts after becoming Mayor.

He ordered Transport for London chiefs to improve traffic flow after soaring complaints from motoring organisations that badly-phased lights were congesting traffic.

London transport commissioner Peter Hendy has now reported to the TfL board that an average of two seconds of extra time on each cycle of traffic lights could be found.

Motoring organisations say it is sufficient to make a significant improvement to congestion.

Two years ago former mayor Ken Livingstone was accused by the RAC Foundation and the Tories of rephasing lights to slow down traffic and force people out of their cars and onto other forms of transport.

TfL said the move was to assist pedestrians and ensure the smooth introduction of the extension to the congestion charge zone.

Now Mr Hendy, in his report, said the re-timings could be achieved "without affecting pedestrians" .

Traffic signal adjustments had already begun, he said, focusing on the capital's "most important signals". Timings at about 150 sets of traffic lights had been altered since July, giving "significant extra capacity".

Junctions that have already been improved include those at Peckham High Street, Clapham High Street and Tower Bridge Road.

Mr Hendy said all traffic lights would be adjusted over six years at a rate of 1,000 a year. Improvements at some traffic lights however were awaiting approval from the Department for Transport.

He confirmed that motorcycles will be allowed into all TfL bus lanes from the start of next year, following a pledge in Mr Johnson's mayoral manifesto. The 18-month experimental traffic order would provide an opportunity for evaluation.

Smaller traffic schemes around London believed to include traffic calming initiatives installed under Mr Livingstone were also being reviewed to ensure they did not needlessly hold up traffic.

TfL's new "motorist friendly" approach revealed in the Standard in July was also proving successful, said Mr Hendy.

Twenty per cent fewer traffic enforcement and 15 per cent fewer congestion charging fines were being issued compared to last year.

The drop in enforcement income was being offset by reductions in operating costs with "headcount reductions being pursued".

The RAC Foundation said the moves were "good news". Spokeswoman Elizabeth Dainton said: "Rephasing traffic lights is long overdue as many signals in the capital have had their red phase increased and the green phase reduced over the years, causing increased delays for motorists."

She said that rephasing that created "green waves" where drivers are met by a succession of green traffic lights if they travel along major roads at the correct speed complemented by countdown signals, were "ideal ways" to create extra capacity while reducing congestion, without compromising safety.

A TfL spokesman said: "The Mayor made a commitment in his manifesto to smooth traffic flow in London and TfL is working hard to meet that pledge."

He added that altered timings at 150 sites meant extra capacity "and smoother traffic flow without detriment to pedestrians".