Remember that set of lights is purely a pedestrian crossing, it is not controlling the traffic out of any other roads, so of course it is purely operated by pressing the button.

On more complex junctions where the green man is programmed to come at a certain point in the sequence it is often automatic at peak times, then switched to manual at off peak times.

I love the idea of TfL manufacturing, transporting and installing pedestrian controls purely as an elaborate hoax.

Meanwhile, this still doesn't explain why the traffic was tailed back so far this morning.