The temporary traffic lights that have been in place for FIVE YEARS: Fed-up residents say road control measure has become 'local joke' that has cost taxpayers £125,000 so far

A set of ‘temporary’ traffic lights have celebrated their fifth birthday – after costing taxpayers nearly £125,000.

The lights have been in place on the busy country road after the edge of the carriageway fell away due to subsidence.

But instead of repairing the road council chiefs rented temporary lights in March 2018 – and they are still in place now.

Hiring the lights has cost £124,507 until the end of 2022, it has now been revealed.

Councillor Ian Chandler said the lights on a section of the B4521 near Skenfrith, South Wales, have been a major talking point in his ward.

The lights have been in place for five years on the country road where the edge of the carriageway fell away due to subsidence. It has now been revealed that hiring the lights has cost £124,507 until the end of 2022

Cones were placed around the part of the carriageway near Skenfrith where the tarmac fell away and the traffic lights control the flow around the area. But locals are still waiting to be told when repairs will take place

The Green Party representative says the lights have become a ‘local joke’ but warns they are a symbol of years of cuts and austerity.

He said: ‘In this area it’s been a long standing issue, it’s a particular local joke, but people aren’t that happy about it.

‘It came up during my election campaign a year ago and I put the Freedom of Information request in as they are still here and I was somewhat shocked it has cost £125,000 to rent them.’

Green Party councillor Ian Chandler (pictured) was ‘shocked’ to find the traffic lights had cost Monmouthshire County Council nearly £125,000 to rent – while the road remained unrepaired

Cones were placed around the part of the carriageway where the tarmac fell away and the traffic lights control the flow around the area.

But he is still waiting to be told when repairs will take place.

Mr Chandler added: ‘It’s a symbol of years of cuts and austerity.

‘The previous council cut back but it has not saved money, it’s a false saving as the money on repairs will eventually have to be spent.

‘It’s not the busiest road but it’s a reasonably busy B road, it’s the main route through to Ross-on-Wye, from Abergavenny, and you can have to wait for a few minutes and every so often they don’t work and we have to wait for them to be repaired.

‘There is no sign of that and the council won’t give me a firm date.’

Monmouthshire County Council have been contacted for comment.