Faulty lights on paths, underpasses, redways and roads are making crime and accidents more likely in some areas of Milton Keynes, and the City Council is taking too long to repair them, says a councillor.
In Eaglestone, a group of streetlights have been out of action for more than six months, which is causing problems in the area - one estate resident says he has literally bumped into other people walking between their homes in the darkness.
"In the evening, visitors cannot find our home because the place is so dark,” said Augustine Bediako, “We have to use the torches on our phones to find our way around. Early one morning a lady and I accidentally walked straight into one another in the dark, and she was really scared!"
Mr Bediako raised the issue with campaigner and Eaglestone Parish Councillor Tony Coughlan, who said he also knows of lights in neighbouring Fishermead that have been faulty for over a year.
Cllr Coughlan says he is fearful about collisions on the nearby 'ghost' roundabouts where vital streetlights are all broken.
"Broken lighting is unsafe for everyone, and particularly dangerous for women, children, and people who cannot see well,” he said, “The council must prioritise these essential repairs."
In a statement, Milton Keynes City Council told MKFM, “We know there are faulty cables affecting some of the redway lights in Eaglestone on the V7 Saxon Street side.
“Jobs to repair and replace the cable are already raised with our service provider, Ringway.
“Cabling faults take longer to fix than other streetlight repairs and cost more due to the works involved. When responding to any blocks of lights out, we first need to rule out any other electrical faults which could be more easily completed.
“The streetlighting cables across the city are over 40 years old in most cases and reaching the end of their operational life which is why we are currently getting more cable faults, affecting blocks of lights.
“We have checked the streetlights out on the public highway in the whole Eaglestone estate based on those reported to us.
“There are less than 20 lights out on Highway land which are all have repairs planned. If there are any others on the highway or other council-owned land, we ask that residents report these to us so we can investigate and repair them.”
