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All the United Kingdom England London Traffic Light Tree

Traffic Light Tree

A student driver's nightmare.

London, England

Added By
Ryan
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CAPTION
Traffic Light Tree   William Warby on Wikipedia
Traffic Light Tree by soulmate02 with Creative Commons license.”   http://www.flickr.com/photos/soulmate02/38...
  http://farm1.static.flickr.com/31/46957842...
Traffic Light Tree   JackHudson / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Traffic Light Tree   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
  shmangela / Atlas Obscura User
  Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
Daytime blinking   Flaneuse / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  bbencardino / Atlas Obscura User
  Ranian02 / Atlas Obscura User
traffic light tree at dusk  
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About

Once located in the junctions of Westferry Road, Heron Quay Bank and Marsh Wall, this traffic light mutation can now be found on a traffic island just outside the main gate to BIllingsgate Market.

Designed by French sculptor Pierre Vivant in 1998, the eight-metre-tall stoplight was originally installed on the site of a plane tree that suffered and died from air pollution. Its changing patterns are meant to reflect the "never-ending rhythm of the surrounding domestic, financial and commercial activities." The initial idea was to make the London Stock Exchange's activities trigger the lights, but it was scrapped as it cost too much to put into practice.

The tall "Traffic Light Tree" changes its 75 sets of lights in a random order, much to the confusion of unprepared drivers. Indeed, when Saga Motor Insurance surveyed British motorists on the best and worst roundabouts in the country in 2005, the one containing the "Tree" naturally came up high on the ranking.

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Outsider Art Monuments Statues Electrical Oddities Traffic Lights

Know Before You Go

The light can be seen at Billingsgate Market, at Trafalgar Way. From the Underground, take the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf, less than a 20 minute walk. When you get outside, turn right to walk up the stairs to the street. Turn right and keep walking down the same street as it curves around and goes over some water. The tree will be at the end in the middle of a roundabout across from the market. Using Google Maps will help direct you to 'Traffic Light Tree' using Google Maps.

Community Contributors

Added By

Genki

Edited By

SkareMedia, hrnick, SEANETTA, aliensock...

  • SkareMedia
  • hrnick
  • SEANETTA
  • aliensock
  • shmangela
  • Fred Cherrygarden
  • Jaszmina Szendrey
  • teddrake
  • Ranian02
  • JackHudson
  • Johan SWE
  • Flaneuse
  • bbencardino

Published

November 26, 2009

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Traffic Light Tree
London, England, E14
United Kingdom
51.50626, -0.014889

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