TRAFFIC lights only installed five months ago on one of Colchester’s busiest roads have been stuck on red.

Engineers were sent to Brook Street after a resident raised the alarm with the Gazette after a fault developed at the lights.

Essex County Council confirmed the problem was caused by a faulty sensor and a “full repair will be carried out as a matter of urgency”.

A spokesman added: “A workaround is in place so the lights are functioning.

“We apologise to road users affected by this electrical fault in the lights and a temporary fix is in place.

“We expect these lights to be fully repaired by the end of the week.

“The fault will be repaired under standard maintenance contract arrangements, at no further cost to the taxpayer.”

The traffic lights were installed as part of a £440,000 scheme, which was completed in May this year.

It was closed for a total of nine weeks while the mini-roundabout at the junction of East Street was replaced with the traffic light-controlled system.

At the time, drivers were forced to divert to the Hythe, while tailbacks stretched as far back as Ipswich Road.

Loretta Shahrabi, from Colchester, who had initially highlighted the problem, criticised the change.

She said: “Pedestrians were having to play Russian roulette with the cars as the lights kept sticking on red.

“It was much safer when it was a roundabout and zebra crossings.”