Traffic Lights stuck on red – what should you do?

You are approaching a roadworks area being controlled by temporary traffic controls – but it soon becomes clear that the traffic lights are stuck on red and have malfunctioned This works out to be the case for vehicles on both sides of the controlled zone.

So what should you do? Would you be breaking the law if you drive through the red light even if you have been patient? If you do not, how long before drivers behind you become impatient? How would the police view this? This is something not covered in the Highway Code and as long as common sense and safety is put first – what else can you do?