Full Breakdown
Slug-Induced Traffic Light Failures Disrupt Robin Hood Junction in Stretford
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
New traffic lights at the Robin Hood crossroads—where Urmston Lane, Kingsway and Barton Road meet in Stretford, Trafford—experienced repeated outages. Engineers traced the cause to slugs entering the signal controller and creating short circuits, a problem not previously recorded by the highways team.
Background & Context
The junction was upgraded as part of a £17.6 million redevelopment of Stretford town centre that finished in 2024, adding green spaces, footpaths and a cycle lane around Stretford Mall. Despite the recent installation, the lights began failing within months, prompting complaints from local residents.
Data & Statistics
- September 3 2025 – first reported outage.
- December 16 2025 – second outage.
- June 30 2026 – third outage.
Remedial works to seal controller housings and add copper tape were completed later in 2026, after which no further faults have been recorded.
Official Statements & Responses
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) confirmed that investigations identified slugs as the source of the short circuits and that corrective measures were applied to the signal controller. The agency said the site will continue to be monitored through its UTC system to detect any future issues. Councillor Steve Adshead, Trafford council’s executive member for Highways and Environmental Services, noted that the problem was unprecedented for the highways team and that he had to press TfGM for a thorough investigation after residents raised concerns.
Verbatim Quotes
- “For them to go several times less than a couple of years old seemed very odd,” — Steve Adshead, said councillor
- “This was the first time the highways team had ever experienced this,” — Councillor Steve Adshead. It, said councillor
- “We had a couple of residents raise it with us saying ‘why do these lights keep going?’. I had to push Transport for Greater Manchester on it quite a bit.” — Coun Adshead, said councillor
- “Recurring issues with traffic signals at the Robin Hood crossroads in Stretford were investigated and it was identified that slugs were entering the signal controller, causing short circuits. Work was undertaken to address the problem, no further issues have been reported, and we will continue to monitor the situation.” — TfGM spokesperson