TRAFFIC LIGHTS on the A10 are out of synch causing drivers to risk their lives every time they pass through a junction.

The Independent visited the lights at the Carterhatch Lane/A10 junction yesterday (Monday) near to Enfield Town, and found there was a ten second overlap between lights on Carterhatch Lane turning left onto the A10 southbound and lights allowing traffic to continue southbound on the A10 turning green.

Malcolm Prior, a local resident, said he had noticed the problem about two weeks ago, reported the potential deathtrap to Transport for London (TfL) last Wednesday.

Yet TfL, whose engineers replaced the lights with new ones just last month as part of a pan-London modernisation programme, say they are “not aware of any conflicts” at the junction.

Yet according to local shopkeepers, the lights tend to go out of synch every year and have to be fixed.

Mr Prior said: “If people re not aware of the situation and it is putting Enfield residents and visitors to the borough at risk.

“It should have been mended straight away. If the lights were out you would have the police there directing traffic. For people who don’t know it is totally unexpected – people think they have a right to go at the same time. I have seen three near misses. A van travelling on Wednesday turned left to go south on the A10 from Carterhatch Road and they were almost hit by a car on the A10 which was doing at least 40mph.”

He spoke to TfL, who are responsible for maintaining all the major routes in the capital, again yesterday and was told the number was on an emergency repair list.

Police logs show the public reported near misses on August 20 at 5pm and September 4 at 11.55am and 8.30pm, while the one resident says the lights have been faulty for over two weeks. The Independent has heard two other reports of near misses last Sunday which were not reported to police.

A TfL spokeswoman said: “”We are not aware of any conflicts occurring at this junction, however the safety of motorists is our priority and we will visit the site to ensure that the lights are working as they should be.’’ Green Street resident Mr Prior 76, added: “If I did not keep on with it and something happened I would feel very sick. I’m just terrified a family could get killed. You’ve only got to have a double decker bus going through the lights when another car is crossing.”