RLJ (Red Light Jumping). (The definitive bikeradar thread)

There are a number of reasons why light timings get changed, but obviously not 'to increase congestion'. The aim is usually the opposite, much as that is usually in vain.

I don't know specifically what has happened at the Nag's Head (do you mean the Bricklayer's Arms?), but if it's subject to the Mayor's 'smoothing the flow' policy, they may have done some research on existing motor traffic flows and tried to change the timings to be more favourable to the higher flows. That may have had the effect you describe.

Tibbs will know more.

Or you might just be getting slower with advancing age. :)

How dare you- I'm getting faster and faster, my hair is growing in more thickly, and I no longer get hangovers.

Anyway, it's annoying in some ways, but in others it's quite nice- the timing now almost always catches all the motor traffic out, so whilst it truly fucks the traffic flow off the OKR, it stops cars from riding on my wheel as I take a wide line through to Great Dover street. A classic case of "I'm ok Jack".