Bees swarming around a Traffic Light signal in Leeds today

8 comments

1. I’m not pressing that button!

2. In an unprecedented event that has left Leeds City Council buzzing with confusion, a swarm of bees has taken up residence in a traffic light on Briggate, causing quite the sting in the tail for local traffic management.

   The bees, believed to be a rare subspecies known as “Apis mellifera trafficus,” have shown an uncanny ability to synchronize their movements with the changing lights. Eyewitnesses report seeing the bees form perfect green arrows, red circles, and even amber man-shaped clusters.

   Local beekeeper and self-proclaimed “Trafficopologist” Barry Bumbleton theorizes that the bees may have evolved this behaviour due to years of nesting in abandoned traffic light control boxes. “It’s a clear case of insects adapting to the urban environment,” Bumbleton stated, adjusting his bee-shaped deerstalker hat. “Next thing you know, they’ll be queuing for fish and chips on a Friday night.”

   The Council’s initial attempts to remove the bees were met with resistance from an impromptu protest group calling themselves “The Hive Mind.” Their spokeswoman, Flora Nectarine, insisted that the bees were “providing a vital public service” and “improving traffic flow by up to 200%.”

   In a surprising turn of events, the Department for Transport has expressed interest in the phenomenon. A spokesperson announced plans for a pilot scheme to train bees as “biological traffic wardens” in other cities, pending further research and a lot of explaining to higher-ups.

   Local motorists have reported mixed feelings about the new apian traffic controllers. Dave from Headingley said, “It’s a bit distracting, like. But I haven’t been stuck at these lights for ages. Plus, the honey they’re making in the amber light is lovely on toast.”

   As of press time, the Council was considering officially changing the street name to “Bee-gate” and marketing it as a tourist attraction.

   Now, I must confess that this entire story is completely fictional. There are no traffic light-controlling bees in Leeds, no “Apis mellifera trafficus,” and certainly no plans to train bees as traffic wardens.

3. Beads?!

4. Someone call a bee keeper cos there is a break away bee queen there somewhere in there and those bees need a proper hive.

5. The Queen is obviously trying to cross the road to go to the toilet.

   She knows there’s a BP station on the other side.

   Thank you and goodnight.

6. I appreciate the repeated zooming in. It lends perspective and a dramatic element.

7. I can’t beeleed it.

8. Looks like the camera guy got a real buzz from this 🐝I’ll buzz off now