Traffic Light Tree is a public sculpture created by the French artist Pierre Vivant. Its design in some ways reflects the restlessness and impatience of Canary Wharf.
Eight metres tall and containing 75 traffic lights, each controlled by computer, the sculpture was described by Vivant thus:
The Sculpture imitates the natural landscape of the adjacent London Plane Trees, while the changing pattern of the lights reveals and reflects the never ending rhythm of the surrounding domestic, financial and commercial activities.
Traffic Light Tree was installed in 1998 on the site of a plane tree that was suffering as a result of pollution. It was initially intended that the lights would be triggered to reflect flurries of activity on the London Stock Exchange, but this proved to be too expensive to put into practice.
Although some motorists were initially confused by the traffic lights, mistaking them for real signals, the sculpture soon became a favourite among both tourists and locals. In 2005, Saga Motor Insurance commissioned a survey asking British motorists about the best and worst roundabouts in the country. The one containing Traffic Light Tree was the clear favourite.
As part of remodelling work to the original location on Westferry roundabout, Tower Hamlets Council reinstalled the iconic piece at the Trafalgar Way roundabout near Billingsgate Market at the other end of Canary Wharf.
