Traffic lights at a busy junction will be repaired "as soon as possible" after "unacceptable" and "frankly dangerous" vandalism.

Traffic lights in Cherry Tree Lane, Rainham, were cut down on Sunday (October 27), leaving a junction with no lights.

Transport for London (TfL) told the Recorder it is aware of this vandalism and is "working to ensure they are fixed as soon as possible".

Meanwhile, Havering Council has been "pressing" TfL to undertake these repairs, as it says this is a crime that can "affect the safety of so many".

A spokesperson for Havering Council said: "As with all traffic lights on London’s highways these are owned and maintained by Transport for London.

"TfL is in the process of arranging repairs.

"The council condemns this criminal behaviour in the strongest possible terms."

They added: "We are pressing TfL to undertake repairs as quickly as possible and will support the police with any investigations into these crimes."

Councillor Graham Williamson also addressed residents concerns about these lights, calling the junction "frankly dangerous" after the vandalism.

In a post on Facebook, he said: "Many of you will be aware that the lights were vandalised the other day.

"TFL are responsible for them and the council has been chasing them to get it completed as it is a very busy junction and frankly dangerous without them."

Although it was traffic lights that were cut down, Havering Council acknowledged the potential "link to ULEZ" with this incident.

The spokesperson told this paper that, while they "appreciate" some residents' opposition to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scheme, "committing a crime and taking actions that can affect the safety of so many is inexcusable".

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TfL also referenced ULEZ, calling cutting down of cameras and traffic lights "unacceptable".

A TfL spokesperson said: "Criminal damage to ULEZ cameras and traffic signals puts the perpetrators at risk of prosecution and injury, while simultaneously risking the safety of the public. 

"Camera vandalism will not stop the ULEZ operating London-wide.

"All vandalised cameras are repaired or replaced as soon as possible."

TfL added that it "urgently" responds to reports of traffic signal outages and installs temporary traffic lights "where possible".

The Recorder understands that there are no temporary traffic lights at the Cherry Tree Lane junction yet, and has asked TfL whether it plans to install temporary lights while the vandalised signals are fixed.