TEMPORARY traffic lights that repeatedly stopped working at a rail bridge in Wolvercote must be reviewed, a city councillor has said.

The lights at the bridge have malfunctioned on a number of occasions in recent months and Angie Goff, who represents Wolvercote for the Liberal Democrats, said it was time for Oxfordshire County Council to conduct the review.

The county council confirmed the lights, run by contractors, have been out of action but are now working again after being fixed.

Council spokesman Paul Smith said on Tuesday: "The temporary lights failed last week.

"They were stuck on red.

"They were replaced on Monday."

Mrs Goff, city councillor for Wolvercote, who is also chairman of the Wolvercote Commoners Committee, said the temporary traffic lights arrangement controlled single-lane traffic on the Network Rail-owned bridge.

She added: "I think it is time for a review, as there have been temporary lights there now for more than 10 years.

"I have encountered the lights not working myself and you just have to wait to see what is coming the other way.

"There is a lot of concern that traffic in Wolvercote could increase because of the proposed development at the paper mill site, so single-lane traffic does actually function as a traffic-calming measure.

"Some drivers heading to Oxford Parkway station could also be using this route as a rat run.

"If changes are going to be made there should be better provision for cyclists and pedestrians – the whole situation should be monitored."

Christopher Hardman, chairman of the Wolvercote Neighbourhood Forum, said: "The lights are not always reliable and sometimes remain on red or green.

"The bridge apparently is not strong enough for two-way traffic but at the moment there are not funds available for strengthening or replacing it.

"The restriction on traffic flow does have its advantages - residents are very concerned about Lower Wolvercote becoming a rat run."

County councillor for Wolvercote and Summertown Jean Fooks said £6m was set aside in the council's capital programme for improvement work on the bridge in conjunction with Network Rail but the money was removed about three years ago on the grounds that the scheme was not imminent.

She added: "At some point the bridge will have to be replaced - but any plans would have to be consulted on.

"I think most people would say when and if the bridge is rebuilt there should be permanent traffic lights."

Ms Fooks said Network Rail recently carried out overnight repair work at the bridge.

Liberal Democrat city councillor for Wolvercote Steve Goddard said: "Whether the lights are temporary or permanent they clearly need to work and that shouldn't be beyond the wit of staff operating them."

Network Rail has not yet commented.