A STREET light in Lickey End which has been out of order for more than a year has prompted two councillors to ask: ‘Just how long does it take a local authority to change a light bulb?’.
Liberal Democrats Rob Hunter and Josh Robinson have vented their frustrations, claiming Lickey End residents have been left in the dark due to a lack of street light repairs.
They say the lamp post in question – number 4983 – is at a busy and dangerous junction of the A38 and Grosvenor Gardens, near the Mount School.
The fault was first reported in July 2020 and still, 13 months later, has not been fixed.
The pair said many motorists sped up after passing through the traffic lights without realising another junction was close by where visibility was more restricted – especially without a functioning light.
They say the authority had boasted it had installed 27,700 new environmentally friendly LED street lights over the last three years.
Coun Hunter, who has submitted a formal account to the county council, said: “I am appalled residents have been left in the dark for so long at this dangerous junction.
“Of course I totally support the council’s move towards energy efficient street lighting, but it’s outrageous that thousands of well-functioning street lights have been replaced ahead of a much-needed repair on a dangerous junction in Lickey End.
“What do these residents have to do to get the council to take its responsibilities towards road safety seriously?”
Coun Robinson whose Bromsgrove Central division covers Lickey End on Worcestershire County Council, which is responsible for street lights, has also been left frustrated after speaking to officers about the problem.
He added “I know the Highways Team are under an awful lot of pressure, but I have emphasised that I really would like to see this repair prioritised as soon as possible now. “We really must get this sorted before the nights start drawing in again and the junction becomes even more dangerous.”
A Worcestershire County Council spokesperson said: “We appreciate residents’ frustration regarding this street light repair.
“We’re currently liaising with our contractor on this, as specialist traffic management is required to allow the repair to be completed.
“We will update our residents and local members on this once details become finalised.”
