29/10/2026
DID YOU KNOW THE FIRST TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON BEVERLEY ROAD WERE GIVEN THE NICKNAME "ROBOTS."
The Hull Daily Mail dated Friday, 20th June 1930 introduced a novel idea to Hull at Beverley Road and Cottingham Road junction. Something called "Automatic signals."
The report stated that the use of automatic traffic control signals is being extended in Hull, a further set having been erected at the important crossing near the Haworth Arms, at the junction of Beverley-road and Cottingham-road. Here the authorities have been confronted with a puzzling problem owing to the fact that traffic at this junction can proceed in so many different ways, and that streams of traffic are liable to cross one another even when the lights are at green, which is the signal to proceed.
It is felt, however, that by the ingenious arrangement of the lamps and the fixing of “stop” marks on the roadways, as well as the making of “safety crossings” for pedestrians who wish to go across the road, that the difficulties will be overcome, particularly if both motorists and pedestrians use a normal amount of care.
WHAT THE COLOURS INDICATE.
The above plan, if carefully studied, will give a clear indication of the position of these “Robots” and of the positions of the safety crossings for pedestrians.
It is understood that there seems to be some confusion in the minds of motorists as to the significance of the lights, particularly the amber, and the red and amber simultaneously.
The extract from the regulations concerning this is as follows: The signal indications are given in the following order: (1) Red, (2) Red and Amber together, (3) Green, (4) Amber, (1) Red, and so on.
The purpose of the amber is to give warning to drivers of vehicles of an impending change from red to green, or green to red, as the case may be, and it is at the same time a very valuable indication to pedestrians of an impending change in the direction of the traffic. For the purpose of warning the drivers of vehicles which have been stopped that they should get ready to move the amber is shown concurrently with the red, so that it might be clear that the vehicles are not to move until the red and amber are replaced by green. As an indication to the drivers of vehicles in the moving stream of traffic that the red is about to be shown, the amber is shown separately after the green.
The colours are thus indicated as follows: 1, red means “stop” before entering the intersection, and remain standing until green is shown. 2, red and amber together mean “prepare to start” when green is shown. 3, green means permission to go either straight ahead or to the left or right, subject to the safety of others or the specific direction of a police officer. 4, amber alone (after green) means “stop” before entering the intersection, unless when amber is first apparent the vehicle is so close to the intersection that it cannot be stopped with safety, in which case it should go on and get clear of the intersection.
MOVE DEAD SLOW.
In the above plan it will be seen that the letters “R”, “Q”, “S” and “P” appear in the centre of the main roads. This enables the reader to follow the directions issued with regard to right-hand turns.
In this respect one might quote the instance of a motorist passing from “Q” (Cottingham-road) to “P” (Beverley-road). Traffic passing from “Q” to “P” may pass the signal at “B” when the green is showing towards “Q” and may turn right towards “P” (Beverley-road) as soon as traffic passing from “S” (Clough-road) to “Q” (Cottingham-road) will permit, but must stop for other traffic at the signal “b” when that signal is at red.
All drivers making left or right-hand turns should make the movement dead slow and pay special regard to the safety of pedestrians.
SPECIAL PLACES FOR PEDESTRIANS
Pedestrians are requested to cross the carriage way under the care of the signals (by watching the changing lights). For this purpose the crossing is marked with white lines and foot passengers should only cross the road when the green light is showing toward them, at the same time keeping a sharp look-out for traffic taking a left-hand turn.
The automatic signals are of the three-way type, showing lights simultaneously in three directions. They commenced working on Thursday, and the police were observing the system in operation.
I particularly love the use of the word "Robots" to describe the traffic lights.
Mike Covell - Amazing Hull Tours 2026
