Chaos hit rush-hour motorists in Otley this week after town centre traffic lights failed – just after the heavy rain started.

The traffic lights at the crossroads of Crossgate, Boroughgate, Wesley Street and Market Place went out at 5.45pm on Monday, as workers were driving home.

Contractors from Leeds City Council managed to get the lights working again that night, but they failed again at midnight and were still out on Tuesday morning, causing further rush-hour problems.

Further work got the vehicles-only part of the lights working again by 10am, and revealed that a fault with the pedestrian lights was to blame for tripping the whole system. New parts were installed and a full repair were carried out later on Tuesday.

The lights were working as normal by 2.30pm.

Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon), who had reported the problem, said: “I wasn’t there, but heard from my daughter that it was a free-for-all and chaos at the junction after the lights failed, with drivers not knowing whether they were supposed to go or stay.

“That confusion can easily block a junction and cause accidents so I’m glad the problem has now been resolved.

“A big thank you to the contractors involved for getting the work done.”