What Car? Q&A - Can I ignore temporary traffic lights?

Q: What is the legal status of temporary traffic lights? A colleague of mine says that if you can safely see the way ahead is clear, you do not have to stop at a red temporary light, is this true?
James Francis

A: Your colleague is wrong. If a set of temporary traffic lights are showing red, you do have to stop, by law. The 1994 Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions gave portable temporary lights at road works and temporary road traffic control schemes equal validity with permanent lights and signs.