A NEW high-tech traffic sign designed to reduce traffic congestion will be has been unveiled at Pigeon's Lane in Hintlesham.County councillor Kathy Pollard activated the electronic prism sign, the first of its type in SuffolkThe sign, located at the A1071 junction into Pigeon's Lane, will automatically display a right-turn ban between 7am and 9am.

A NEW high-tech traffic sign designed to reduce traffic congestion will be has been unveiled at Pigeon's Lane in Hintlesham.

County councillor Kathy Pollard activated the electronic prism sign, the first of its type in Suffolk

The sign, located at the A1071 junction into Pigeon's Lane, will automatically display a right-turn ban between 7am and 9am.

This is designed to reduce congestion by preventing vehicles using the route as a 'rat-run' during the busy morning period.

Drivers trying to find an easier way to access the Beagle roundabout are unwittingly causing more congestion by blocking other vehicles approaching from the Hintlesham direction. As a single-track road, Pigeon's Lane can't cope with this amount of traffic.

Kathy Pollard, county councillor for Belstead Brook, said: "This sign has been installed in response to the concerns of local residents, who contacted me earlier in the year to see if we could find a solution.

Rat-running along Pigeon's Lane in the morning peak had made it dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders as well as local residents trying to get out of their drives. "

"The sign is an innovative solution and should ease the problems experienced by local residents. Although drivers will not be able to turn right between seven and nine am there will be normal access to the road at other times. I would like to thank all those involved for their help, especially the county council's road safety team and the police."

The new sign will operate for an experimental period of up to 18 months while engineers monitor its effectiveness.