You could check whether there are traffic cameras at the lights – if so, and the cameras were working, I don’t think some jobsworth will accept any such excuse.
The only time you are permitted to pass a red light, is if directed to do so by a police officer.
Plenty of drivers have been prosecuted for passing a red light in order to make way for an emergency vehicle – such an excuse cuts no ice with the jobsworths of this world.
Something similar happened to me very early one morning many years ago – I was waiting at a junction for a right turn light to change. After a few minutes, I had a queue of cars behind me waiting to turn right. After a few more minutes, the driver behind me got out of his car and advised me to move forward slightly, such that the only working induction loop in the lane would detect my car. Sure enough, soon after I pulled forward to the white line, the light changed.