An additional four sets of traffic lights could be installed along Cameron Road bringing the total number of traffic light controlled intersections there to 13.

The intersections proposed to have traffic lights added are at 3rd Avenue, 9th Avenue, Chadwick Road and Spring Street.

Road works at 11th Avenue where a feature of the change is to the traffic light controls.

At present, Cameron Road carries up to 30,000 vehicles a day and the issue is before the council owing to concerns about the volume of light controlled intersections there.

The proposal is part of Tauranga City Council's Ten Year Plan discussions on this week in which a review of a draft plan for installation of the lights was ordered.

The council's transportation and operation manager, Martin Parkes, says the review is underway.

'We will be reviewing information in the Tauranga traffic model and looking at the impact of other projects planned for around the city and how they will impact on the traffic flows along Cameron Road.”

There are other intersections under consideration for the introduction of traffic light controls.

They are the intersections of Devonport Road and 11^th Avenue, Waihi Road and Bellevue Road, and Fraser Street and Courtney Road.

Martin says the installation of traffic lights costs between $300,000 and $600,000, depending on the site and type of works.

With Cameron Road attracting on average between 27,000 and 28,000 vehicles a day Martin says there needs to be control at intersections to allow access for all road users.

'Otherwise side traffic will never be able to get out safely.

'Any city with that volume of traffic is going to require some sort of control, be it roundabout or signals.

'In an urban environment signals is the better option because it provides for all user groups.”

Martin says there needs to be consideration of pedestrians and cyclists.

'At the end of the day there are more pedestrians using the city, than motorists.

'It is important we cater for the needs of those on foot, so people can move around the city safely.”

There are 33 intersections in Tauranga controlled by traffic lights and part of the review is assessing whether they are required.

'We are looking at the whole 10 year programme, specifically where we are looking at putting traffic lights, or removing roundabouts and putting traffic lights in.”

Martin is reporting back to the city councillors with information on the feasibility of the Cameron Road upgrade in the next week.