Following the expansion of the ULEZ zone in south east London, Orpington residents have protested in a variety of ways.

While some have taken to cutting down the cameras, and sets of traffic lights with them, others have taken a playful approach and put Christmas trees in the ULEZ camera poles.

As a result, some residents have expressed concern over the way that protesting could now be becoming a safety hazard.

On January 18 at around 8.30am, police were called to a crash on Court Road in Orpington where a set of traffic lights with a ULEZ camera had been cut down.

A woman and a six-year-old girl were taken to hospital where their injuries were assessed as not life-threatening.

However, an overwhelming majority expressed opinions supporting the destruction of ULEZ cameras, even if traffic lights are out of action as a by product.

Some believe that the traffic improves in areas where there are no lights to shepherd vehicles at particular times.

Georgie Jnr Killick said: “If anything, the traffic has got better.

“The new 20mph speed limit is ridiculous, and it’s all about control from the government and again, drawback money from Covid.

“I hope this all carries on so the government will listen to the people.”

He added that he supports these protests “by any means possible.”

Matt McConnell is also in support of protesting ULEZ, but also worries that the repairs will be coming from the tax payer’s money.

He said: “I think it’s a bit of a double-edged sword.

“Of course, I think we have every right to, and should be, protesting against ULEZ.

“Cutting down the cameras is a great way of doing it because, let’s be honest, petitions get you nowhere – look how successful the French are at protesting.

“However, I don’t think we will ever win and the sad irony is that it is costing the taxpayer even more money to repair the broken cameras.”

He also does not view the lack of traffic lights as being detrimental to the flow of traffic.

Matt added: “Although I think it is reminiscent of driving in Mumbai, and a bit dangerous, the traffic has been a great improvement.

“I travel through Chislehurst War Memorial on my daily commute, where lights have also been cut down, and the traffic has never been better.

“A famously congested junction is now flowing freely.

“Perhaps this could be a call to think about redesigning how these junctions operate?”

Kris Brown likes the way that an anonymous group called The Stig has been putting Christmas trees where ULEZ cameras have been cut down as a form of protest.

He believes that ULEZ “was always a scam based on lies”.

Kris claims: “Nobody is dying.

“ULEZ did not decrease pollution by 46 per cent as claimed by Khan – it’s impossible.

“Khan ignored democracy when 90 per cent people told him they did not want ULEZ expansion.

“Original expansion introduced during Covid so nobody was able to protest at the time.”

Claire Dyer said: “Since a lot of those traffic lights have gone back up, the majority of people are saying traffic is backing up.

“I’m not going to say we shouldn’t have traffic lights, but it shows that the lights owned by TfL and their sequencing, also controlled by TfL, is causing the illusion of more vehicles and traffic on the road.”

She added that if drivers are approaching a junction and cannot see a red or green light, they should be aware that the lights are not working and be able to drive sensibly without them.

A spokesperson for Bromley Council said: “Work by Transport for London to repair vandalised traffic lights is welcomed.

“The first set of traffic lights has been repaired following a number of related incidents earlier in the week when traffic lights were severely damaged and rendered inoperable, compromising road safety.

“In total, it is believed that 33 traffic signals at 13 junctions and pelican crossings in the borough require repairs, with the Council urging Transport for London (TfL) to complete this work as soon as possible, giving priority to repairs at traffic signals on routes to schools.”

Councillor Nicholas Bennett, Executive Councillor for Transport, Highways and Road Safety said, “Although traffic lights are TfL’s responsibility our priority is road safety. 

“Peter Fortune, our London Assembly member, arranged an urgent meeting with TfL and Bromley Council and as a result swift action has been taken to put up warning signs, repair the signals and to make the junctions as safe as possible, prioritising locations.”

Councillor Bennett continued, “We need TfL to remain focussed on this serious problem and we welcome the news that repair work has started.

“I condemn, without reservation, these criminal acts and hope the perpetrators are caught. Bromley has amongst the safest roads in London. 

“This vandalism compromises road safety.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “Vandalism is unacceptable and all incidents on our network are reported to the police for investigation.

“Criminal damage to ULEZ cameras or vehicles 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.

“We have an extensive camera network which is sufficient to support the effective operation of the scheme.

“Anyone driving a non-compliant vehicle within the expanded zone will be detected and we advise everyone to check whether their vehicle is compliant and to consider the various support that is available to help transition to greener modes of transport.”

The News Shopper has contacted Sadiq Khan’s office for a statement.