TRAFFIC lights that stuck on red causing lengthy tailbacks in Branksome this morning had been vandalised, Borough of Poole has confirmed.

The sequencing of the temporary lights, on Poole Road adjacent to Cromer Road, had been tampered with causing extra delays during morning rush-hour.

An accident further along Poole Road (pictured) compounded problems, and police eventually were forced to control the traffic.

The temporary signals were in place while Siemens engineers carried out repair work to the permanent traffic signals. This work has now finished.

Borough of Poole engineering and maintenance manager John Rice said: “We received reports that the temporary traffic signals on Poole Road, adjacent to Cromer Road, had not been operating properly.

“On investigation it was clear that the sequence of lights had been altered by a third party and Dorset Police are now aware of the matter.”

Engineers were able to reset the sequences, and traffic had eased by around 11am.

Mr Rice said: “The refurbishment work to the permanent signals, which became necessary as the equipment could not be fully repaired following a traffic accident, is now complete and final safety checks are being undertaken.”

The permanent lights are now fully operational and the temporary signals have been removed.