Quirky Canary Wharf traffic light roundabout scoops award

THE famous Westferry Road traffic light tree roundabout with its backdrop of the Canary Wharf metropolis has become a symbol for the 24-hour district.

And while it is fair to say it divides opinion among some art critics and can be non-sensical for motorists with its strange light habits, it has finally been given the recognition many local people feel it deserves.

The Heron Quays island has been voted one of Britain’s Best Roundabouts and appears as April in a “worldwide cult classic calendar”.

The roundabout featuring Pierre Vivant’s sculpture was called “awesome” and “unique” by judges for the Best British Roundabouts 2011 calendar.

Kevin Beresford of the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society said: “This sculpture confuses unsuspecting motorists every day. It helps to make driver jobs in the locality a lot more interesting - the 75 flashing lights on the tree are purely for aesthetic purposes and should by no means be obeyed on during your courier jobs.”

The sculpture is over eight metres tall and has 75 fully working traffic lights. It is in the shape of two plane trees and the lights mainly display just red and amber - thought to symbolise the 24-hour nature of Canary Wharf behind it.