AN emergency ambulance was held up when temporary traffic lights broke down at one of Colchester’s busiest junctions.

Martin Goss, borough councillor for Mile End, spotted the ambulance with its blue lights flashing under North Station Bridge.

He was also caught up in the chaos on Tuesday.

UK Power Networks is upgrading underground cables in Bergholt Road, which is off the notoriously busy North Station roundabout.

Mr Goss said workmen have not been seen at the site regularly, despite the three-way traffic lights being at the junction of Bergholt Road and Three Crowns Road since Saturday.

He said: “I had to go and see a resident and got stuck going to see them and going back.

“I saw the ambulance sitting under North Station Bridge with blue lights on, they couldn’t go anywhere.”

“The whole thing was carnage.”

Lib Dem Mr Goss said there are 14 sets of lights at North Station roundabout programmed to change after certain numbers of cars go through.

The hold-up caused by the temporary lights had a knock-on effect on the traffic flow around the roundabout and into Colchester town centre.

He said residents reported problems earlier on in the day too.

Mr Goss tried to call UK Power Networks’ emergency contact centre Tuesday evening but got put on hold for so long he gave up and sent an email to its chief executive, Basil Scarsella.

In his email, he told Mr Scarsella how Three Crowns Road and Bergholt Road are “a major exit” for Colchester North Railway Station.

Mr Goss said: “The work is also progressing in a very slow fashion and much of the time no work is taking place during the day.

“This is a criticism I have levelled previously when this area was last dug up.”

Last year when Mr Goss complained Mr Scarsella awarded £1,000 compensation, which he donated to St Helena Hospice.

A UK Power Networks spokesman said: “Work began at the weekend and different teams have been at the site every day to ensure work is completed as soon as possible.

“The three-way traffic lights did go out of sequence for a brief while when a third party had a delivery, but it rectified itself before it could be re-set.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused while this work is ongoing. We are aware that Bergholt Road is very busy and any roadworks are likely to add to congestion in the area.”

No workmen were at the site when the Gazette attended yesterday lunchtime.