How much bureaucracy does it take to change a traffic light bulb?

Here's an example of how central government micro-manages local councils. To get money to fix traffic lights WC has to compete with other councils and draw up a bid and submit it to the government under a special time-limited traffic-light-fixing funding scheme. Read the WC announcement:

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Wiltshire Council successful in securing £500,000 to improve traffic signals

Wiltshire Council has been awarded £500,000 from the Department for Transport's (DfT) Integrated Transport and Highway Maintenance funding to improve and maintain traffic signals in the county.

The money will be spent on a schedule of work to existing traffic signals that will enhance safety at key junctions and also improve traffic flows. Now that the funding has been received, officers will compile a schedule of works based on need, before sharing the proposals with the DfT. The works have to be completed by March 2023 but are likely to be finished by the end of 2022.

Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Traffic Lights, said: "This funding is welcome news that will help us to improve traffic signals in Wiltshire.

"It won't solve all our problems with traffic lights that have come to the end of their life, but it will enable us to address some of most critical signal replacements.

"We were one of more than 100 local authorities that applied for the funding, and only one of 21 (sic) to receive the full amount, which is a reflection on the strength of our bid.

"Officers will now put a schedule of works together, and we'll prioritise which signals to improve based on those that are in most need of replacement. We'll have more details on which lights will be updated in the coming months.

"This funding is matched by a further £500,000 that we are investing into upgrading and maintaining our traffic signals stock this year."