Sadly, it's not just the rush hour. This stupidity happens at all hours. Perhaps if junctions, crossings etc had roadside cameras that were activated by the red lights then a very expensive message could be sent to these idiots - and maybe we could also include drivers who insist on driving onto junctions when their exit is blocked?
Perhaps if some of the responsibility for these 'crimes' were to be handed over to the private sector the police could get on with their jobs?

Whilst I agree its madness jumping lights etc.. what moron plans lights so close to the roundabouts such as Gatehouse Rd/Oxford Rd, every rush hour it chogs up whilst cars wait at the red lights.. I really wonder what planet the council are on - any fool could see this would happen on paper let alone in reality!

Steve, every set of pedestrian controlled lights is a major headache for drivers and, in my experience, are the cause of the gridlock during rush hour.
Why, oh why are pedestrian crossings designed in favour of the pedestrian?
Within seconds of pressing the button, the lights change, stopping the traffic for what seems like an eternity - even though it is just one person crossing.
Meanwhile, the traffic is backing up for miles.
Earlier on this week, one person stopped the traffic outside Morrisons, I counted a minimum of 20 cars stopping before my view was obscured and the way traffic behaves from a standing start would have meant standing traffic beyond the new pedestrian/transport hub crossing, possibly as far back as the Blue Leanie crossing (and so blocking the roundabout - which then blocks Exchange street/Walton St...)
Strange, the traffic flowed much better when we had a roundabout at the entrance to the bus station & pedestrians used the underpass.

The entire traffic flow (or lack of flow)around Aylesbury requires a complete rethink. How any planning authority can contemplate approving housing in the numbers at Weedon Hill, Berryfields and whichever 'arc' plan is approved without seriously addressing the road infrastructure (and the schools, hospitals etc) FIRST is beyond me.

*Please enter your comment*Traffic lights and pedestrian crossings are okay to a point provided they suit a purpose. Pedestrians amongst others criticise drivers for jumping red lights which are on red for no purpose but what about all the Pedestrians that insist in crossing the roads just seconds away from these pedestrian crossings / traffic lights and force vehicle drivers to slow down and even stop. It works both ways fault finding but I am a great believer that if a light is on red it should be for a reason so it does not make sense to have vehicles sat at red traffic lights just because they are red. Common sense should prevail if the route is clear then carry on with the journey but stop at red if required ie if the other parties have the right of way.

Tiggers Father: "what about all the Pedestrians that insist in crossing the roads just seconds away from these pedestrian crossings / traffic lights and force vehicle drivers to slow down and even stop"

Don't forget that cyclists, pedestrians and horses have a right of way over roads. Motorists are only licensed to drive on them, and have additional constraints imposed on them as a condition of the license.

Steve P: "Whilst I agree its madness jumping lights etc.. what moron plans lights so close to the roundabouts such as Gatehouse Rd/Oxford Rd"

Pedestrian crossings are at the entrance/exit to roundabouts because that is where pedestrians will need to cross the road. If they are moved further away from the crossing, the pedestrians will still cross in the same place, just without the benefit of the traffic lights.

Maybe it is time a bypass was put around Aylesbury so that the traffic doesn't have to stop for those pesky pedestrians.

You miss my point .. being so close to the junctions and when the lights change quickly in the rush hour people get "stuck" in the middle of the junction blocking everything up, you could argue noone should enter a junction until the exit is clear but people are so scared of the cameras they tend to stop very very quickly.. another 10-15 metres would do the job nicely..

Why stick a crossing so close to a junction?
Trouble is, no matter where you put it, pedestrians will always try to cross the road 5 yards further along. I saw three excellent examples of pedestrianised stupidity along exchange street today.
After waiting for the pedestrians to cross at the high street crossing, I held back to allow a bus to pull out of the layby/bus stop only to find a pedestrian almost caught up in the bus's slipstream - almost hugging the back end of the bus - trying to make some mad dash attempt at crossing the road - just a few yards from the crossing!
Later today I came across another pedestrian partway across the first lane (of the two heading towards the theatre) by the entrance to the car park, then this afternoon there were two women 'stranded' on the solid double white lines whilst trafic whizzed by - and this was just beyond the bus stop.
It doesn't bear thinking about what might have happened if any one of these idiots had stepped out a little too far...

I too am a pedestrian - not seeing the point in driving a mile or so when I can more easily and enjoyably walk. I would put cameras on pedestrian crossings where felt necessary. Jumping a red light should get an instant ban and a painful fine. However I would also make jay walking a civil offence with similar penalties - though of course a 'walking ban' would be an impractical, if not uninteresting, idea.

Regards,

Ultonian

At the crossing at the bottom of the high street this afternoon (approx 4.15), 3 teenagers stood and watched as I turned the corner into exchange street then jumped out in front of me (whilst the lights were on green), forcing me to slam on my brakes. They seemed to think it was rather funny - despite the obvious downside.
Ultonian, I think the charge of jaywalking should be introduced - I know they have this in many countries.
The only problem we would have here is enforcing this - we need more police and cctv monitoring traffic lights.