A DANGEROUSLY dark footpath in Rubery which left users feeling vulnerable is to be lit up through the night after a councillor raised the issue through The Standard.
Coun Peter McDonald contacted us with his concerns about the walkway which runs between Belmont Road and Meadowfield Road. He said Worcestershire County Council was ‘putting residents at risk for the sake of pennies’ by leaving the area unlit by night.
The issue was raised after the authority agreed to keep a number of lamp posts switched on through the night after six arson attacks in Pembridge Close and Sutton Close in Winyates, Reddtich.
The Standard contacted the county council about the situation and it has now agreed to leave the lights on all night long.
Cabinet member with responsibility for environment Coun Tony Miller said: “The welfare of residents across the county at all times is vitally important to us, and improving the efficiency of our street lights is one way we are aiming to improve both resident safety and the local environment.
“Having had the situation regarding street lighting in this area brought to our attention, the street light in question between Belmont Road and Meadowfield Road, will now be switched on at night and taken off our street light switch-off programme.
“As part of our strategy to improve our energy efficiency in Worcestershire, all street lights must be fitted with LED lighting before being taken off our street light switch off programme.
“Any changes to the situation regarding individual street lights, are down to councillors funding these within their local areas.”
Coun McDonald welcomed the decision and said: “This will now give protection and security to those who will use the footpath.
“I am now hoping to secure the same for other areas where people have been left feeling vulnerable, insecure and in the dark.”
Coun McDonald said other areas where he hoped to bring in light through the night included New Inns Lane and part of Windmill Avenue in Rubery.
