U-turn are usually prohibited here in the UK on junctions and alot of the time theres island or barriers or simply solid white lines which would stop what your describing. Ive tried this kind of thing once, and ended up being caught by both red lights, so waited double as well as wasting petrol. So, not worth it for me.
I dont like having to stop though, as my car tends to cut out at idle, and it resets the immobilizer, which means pulling the key out, locking and unlocking my car with the fob, and then hoping that it will start again, sometimes it doesnt and i get a hoard of horns...Now, if its amber, and non camera'd, ill go through it usually. For my own safety and everyones conveniance.