TRAFFIC lights at a busy junction in Colchester have stopped working after temporary lights were in place last week.

At the time of writing, both sets of traffic lights for the junction of Magdalen Street, Barrack Street, Brook Street, and Wimpole Road are not working.

Drivers were seen negotiating the busy junction with traffic just before 6pm fairly busy but not at rush-hour peak due to it being a Bank Holiday.

This follows two people being rushed to hospital following a crash in Brook Street at about 7.35pm on May 19.

One eyewitness told the Gazette they had seen a total of seven emergency service vehicles at the busy junction between Brook Street, Magdalen Street, Barrack Street, and Wimpole Road.

Railings and traffic lights were damaged in the crash meaning temporary traffic lights had to be put in place – which were then removed on May 23.

One resident Simon Collis, 42, said he spent half an hour waiting in traffic on both Wednesday and Thursday due to the temporary traffic lights.

When traffic lights are broken, all motorists should treat junctions as a four-way stop, with all vehicles coming to a complete stop before taking turns and approaching slowly. 

Essex Highways have been contacted for comment.