DEVON County Council is urging motorists to take extra care at Middlemoor roundabout in Exeter while traffic signals at the junction remain out of action.

The traffic lights were damaged by a car which struck the controller unit of the system at the start of the Christmas period.

The County Council says it is doing everything it can to resolve the issue, but bespoke parts need to be made to get it back up and running, which will take some time.

Work will start on site next week (w/c Monday, January 19) while a new “16-phase controller unit” is currently being built off-site by a specialist contractor. It is likely to be February before the lights are back online.

Motorists are also being asked to be particularly mindful of vulnerable highway users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

Councillor Dan Thomas, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We’re as frustrated as anyone that these traffic signals have been damaged and will be out of action for longer than we’d like. Unfortunately, this unit can’t simply be bought off-the-shelf so it is going to take a few weeks to get the parts to carry out the repair.

“Because the sequence of lights at this roundabout has so many phases it would take as long to get temporary lights for the site. So please be extra cautious and considerate of others at this junction while we await the repair.”

Councillor Angela Nash, County Councillor for Wonford and St Loyes, said: “Whilst this situation is frustrating and will be resolved as soon as it can with the requirement for bespoke equipment, please be extra cautious when approaching the roundabout and remember to follow the give way signs and reduce your speed.”

Variable Message Signs (VMS) and temporary road signs have been located on routes approaching the roundabout to advise people of the current issue with the traffic lights.