It’s not safe: residents angry on being left in the dark over street lighting (From Warrington Guardian)

It’s not safe: residents angry on being left in the dark over street lighting

10:09am Thursday 31st January 2013 in Where I Live

POOR street lighting in Orford is putting people’s safety at risk, according to angry residents.

They say that some lights are broken or do not work properly, leaving large areas of darkness where people fear being attacked or mugged.

Former borough councillor Iona Gillis, of Windermere Avenue, said: “Poplars Avenue is appalling.

“There are large parts of the street that are not lit.

“Nothing is being done to address this – it’s not safe.

“We haven’t got safe street lighting and that’s not a luxury, it’s a basic requirement.”

Mrs Gillis has lived on Windermere Avenue for 13 years and says street lighting has been poor throughout that period.

She believes that yellow bulbs in use are less effective than white bulbs.

“When you can’t see where you are walking on the way home, it’s not on,” she said.

“You can’t even see oncoming traffic.

“I nearly had an accident the other day because a car didn’t have it’s lights on and you couldn’t see it.

“There are black spots all over Orford and it’s been like that for years.

“It’s been over a year since this was raised and it is affecting everybody.”

A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council said: “An inspection of the street lights on Poplars Avenue was carried out earlier this week and no major problems were identified. “Two lights which were found to be dim are being repaired but there is currently no other work planned. “We would encourage any residents with specific concerns about the lights to contact the council on 443322.”