A CALL has been made for action to fix faulty streetlights across Halstead amid a global bulb crisis.
Mayor Jackie Pell says there are many streetlights all over the town experiencing issues.
She said: “I have a list of people who have contacted me, but it won’t be a full and comprehensive list, I haven’t heard from absolutely everyone.
“The fact is there are streetlights out everywhere - all over the town.
“Years ago, Essex County Council use to scout the lights. They used to check the lights and see which ones were out and mend them.
“I have been told they were having difficulties in getting supplies of lightbulbs, but some of these lights have been out for over a year and it is just not good enough - we are paying for this service.
“I had trouble on Saturday night when I went to a concert at St Andrew’s Church.
“Opposite, by the hall, there is a light out and I couldn’t see walking down the path so could have easily fallen.
“Someone could really hurt themselves.”
Paul Nunn, who lives in New Street, said it was months before the lights down his road were finally fixed.
He said: “The lights were going out over the last few months and the whole stretch of road was pitch black.
“The road now feels much safer the lights are fixed, it is just a shame it took so long.
“I can now see the potholes and uneven footpath whilst walking at night so there is much less chance of a twisted ankle.
“It’s such a shame that Halstead is forgotten when it comes to councils maintaining the lights, paths, roads and drains.
“Too much money is spent on self-promoting and wasteful unnecessary projects, and not enough on the important upkeep of our towns and villages.
“You go to Braintree or Sudbury and this wouldn’t be seen. You wouldn’t have a whole street without streetlights working.”
Essex Highways have apologised for the delays.
A spokesman said: “This is compounded by the fact that the streetlights require new telecell units, the supply of which has been affected by global shortages.
“These are now beginning to be obtainable again and we are doing everything in our power to fix streetlights such as these as soon as we can.”
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