TRAFFIC lights at several junctions across the borough could be removed in a bid to smooth the flow of cars on the roads.

Transport for London has identified five spots where traffic signals

could be causing unnecessary delays and are now entering a period of consultation to see if these could be removed, replaced or re-programmed so drivers spend less time waiting at red lights.

A further 44 traffic signals around the A40 Western Avenue, Hanger Lane Gyratory, Ironbridge and Southall will also be reviewed during the next four years as part of

the Mayor of London's pledge to improve the roads for motorists and pedestrians and after Boris Johnson's frustrating experience waiting at a red light in Ealing last year.

At the time, Mr Johnson told the London Assembly that he was driving around Ealing one Sunday and found the traffic lights to be 'absolutely insane'. He said there were hardly any pedestrians crossing the road, yet he was kept at red traffic lights for several minutes.

Kulveer Ranger, the mayor's transport advisor, said: "There are few things more annoying than sitting at a traffic light on red for no apparent reason and we've now identified 145 sites across London where we think the signals may no longer be doing a useful job.

"By getting rid of them, we hope we can smooth traffic flow across London and deliver real improvements for all road users."

More than 1,000 traffic signals across the capital will now be reviewed until 2015/16.

John Beeston, of Ealing Passenger Transport Users' Group (EPTUG), said: "A review is needed as demand for extra time for pedestrians and motorists is high and clarity is needed.

"At the moment there is a conflict, with pedestrians taking a chance to cross roads, which delays motorists, and drivers jump amber lights, which prevents pedestrians crossing.

"EPTUG believe that count-down times at traffic lights should be introduced to let people know exactly how much time they have to wait at lights or

cross the road."

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: "While we want to keep traffic in the borough moving, the safety of pedestrians and motorists on Ealing's roads is paramount to Ealing Council.

"I do have reservations about some of the sites they have listed: in particular, the junction of Coronation Road and Abbey Road.

"With that in mind, officers will be meeting with Transport for London (TfL) next week to discuss these concerns.

"I also understand that TFL wishes to review further sites in the borough and we expect to be fully consulted about these plans before we give any proposals the green light."

WHICH JUNCTIONS ARE AFFECTED?

Junctions where traffic lights may be removed: * King Street/Western Road/Havelock Road * Popes Lane/Lionel Road * High Street Acton/Birkbeck Grove * Coronation Road/Abbey Road * Popes Lane/Elderberry Road The 44 junctions under review: * Western Avenue/Horn Lane/Victoria Road * A40 Western Avenue-A4000 Wales Farm Road/Leamington Park * Victoria Road by School Road * Wales Farm Road/Portal Road * Victoria Road/Portal Road * Portal Way/Spur Road * Victoria Road/Park Royal Road * Victoria Road/Chase Road * Victoria Road/Wales Farm Road * Horn Lane by Noel Road Northbound * Horn Lane by Noel Road Southbound * Gunnersbury Avenue/Leopold Road * A40 Western Avenue/Hanger Lane * A40/Western Avenue/Hanger Lane Gyratory/West Bridge * Hanger Lane Gyratory/Westgate * Hanger Lane Gyratory/North Circular Road * Hanger Lane Gyratory/Westgate * Hanger Lane Gyratory/Westgate * A40 Western Avenue/Western Gateway * Uxbridge Road/Greenford Road/Windmill Lane * Uxbridge Road/Parkview Road/Southall

* Uxbridge Road/Dormers Wells Lane * Uxbridge Road/Parkview Road/Southall * Uxbridge Road/Dormers Wells Lane * Uxbridge Road/Dormers Wells Lane * Uxbridge Road/East Of Ironbridge * Uxbridge Road/Greenford Road/Windmill Lane * Uxbridge Road/East Of Ironbridge * Uxbridge Road/Greenford Road/Morland Gardens * Uxbridge Road/Greenford Road/Morland Gardens * A40 Western Avenue/First Central Concord Zone * Savoy Circus/A40 Western Avenue/Old Oak Common Lane/Old Oak Rd * A40 Western Avenue by Glendun Road Eastbound * A40 Western Avenue by Glendun Road westbound * Old Oak Common Lane/Du Cane Road * Uxbridge Road/The Broadway/Lady Margaret Road/South Road * South Road/Beaconsfield Road/Park Avenue * High Street Southall by Avenue Road * South Road by Merrick Road * South Road by St Joseph's Drive * The Broadway Southall by Saxon Road by Oswald Road * The Broadway Southall by Alexandra Avenue by Northcote Avenue * The Broadway Southall by St Georges Avenue by Herbert Road * The Broadway by Tudor Road * Blackbird Hill/Birchen Grove