The traffic lights that cannot be seen from the street

ROADWORKS designed to improve road safety have been branded “an accident waiting to happen” after workers put temporary traffic lights behind tree branches.

Amanda Nunn, a Harborough District councillor, has highlighted a set of temporary lights at the railway bridge on Kettering Road in Market Harborough as dangerous as they cannot be seen clearly by approaching drivers.

Coun Nunn said she was “amazed” that they had been set up and left in that position.

The lights have been erected while a cycle lane under the bridge is being widened as part of the road safety scheme, designed to improve the area for both cyclists and motorists.

She said: “I was walking on the right hand side of the road towards the bridge and noticed where the set of temporary lights had been positioned.

“Drivers approaching from the town centre would not be able to see them.

“I can’t believe they were positioned there and nobody checked if they were properly visible to the oncoming traffic. They are behind tree branches and can’t be seen.

“The drivers coming out of town have always had right of way under that bridge, but these lights change that.

“There is a sign warning of traffic lights, but that’s no use if you can’t actually see the traffic light.

“It is dangerous. It is an accident waiting to happen.”

A spokesman for Leicestershire County Council said yesterday afternoon: “We’re aware of the concerns and our forestry teams are dealing with this as a matter of urgency. The works are part of our pop-up cycle lane scheme and will take four weeks.”