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Battle to fix street lights faces further delay

GUY CAMPBELL/BBC Campaigners wearing yellow and orange fluorescent jackets hold up a sign reading "Let There Be Light" while on a street protest marchGUY CAMPBELL/BBC
Campaigners said they were concerned for the safety of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists

Campaigners who raised safety fears about a main road's broken street lights more than two years ago have been told of further delays in getting them fixed.

National Highways had said repair work would start in June on the A47 in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

But this week it said a pillar on Jubilee Way that powers the lights and needs to be replaced had again been struck by a vehicle, causing "more extensive damage".

Residents voiced frustration after learning no start date had been confirmed for the specialist team needed to carry out the work.

GUY CAMPBELL/BBC Town Councillor Wendy Brooks stands in a Lowestoft street wearing a blue coat over a black top GUY CAMPBELL/BBC
Lowestoft town councillor Wendy Brooks said urgent action was needed before an accident happened

Lowestoft town councillor Wendy Brooks, who organised a protest march, warned the lack of light was dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

"After our small demonstration we were told that National Highways were going to have the work all done by June but that hasn't happened," she said.

"If there have been two collisions with this feeder pillar then it will be to do with the lack of light because, when you drive along St Peter's Street, just before the roundabout, you suddenly hit extreme darkness.

"Venturing along the A47 when it's dark is a nightmare and I just can't believe that National Highways has let this situation go on for two years."

Getty Images A close up of a street light against a very cloudy sky.Getty Images
National Highways said it was waiting for confirmation of a start date for a specialist team booked to carry out repairs

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "The original feeder pillar in need of replacement was again struck by a vehicle, causing more extensive damage.

"This has resulted in a specialist team being required to carry out work to enable the replacement pillar to be connected to the UK power network.

"We have booked a local company to undertake the work and are awaiting a confirmed date for them to attend."

Earlier this year National Highways "sincerely apologised" to people over delays in fixing and upgrading street lights on the town's main road.

It said there was a "specific issue" with a feeder pillar on Jubilee Way that powers the lights.

In January 2023, it said it was aware of problems in the area with street lighting and it was sourcing LED lights to replace older, sodium lanterns that were no longer being manufactured.

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