Streetlights that have gone out throughout Enniskillen have not been replaced as can be seen at the Cherrymount roundabout. This has caused concern for people in some residential areas.
CONCERNS continue over the state of street lights in the county, with reported rises in the number of lights dim or out due to budget cuts.
The governement department responsible for repairing and replacing street lights has admitted that ‘cost saving’ measures have impacted their ability to work at a normal level.
However, the department of regional development has been responsible for the fixing of some lights in the county – and were praised this week by a local councillor.
Still, Councillor Anthony Feely said, there is more to be done.
Reports indicate that ‘black outs’ are becoming more prevalent in the county – with fears that the lack of lighting could lead to criminality or an increase in anti-social behaviour.
Enniskillen residential and town centre areas have been impacted – and the Erne West councillor said that rural areas have been hit particularly badly.
“Numerous constituents contacted me regarding the street lights not working on the Belleek side of Garrison,” he explained, “I contacted the roads service about this and they sent out several individuals to repair it, including the head of street lighting. However, it concluded that there was a fault with the cable and the electrician in charge of this was off for Christmas.
“Over 20 lights being out for over two weeks is hazardous, particularly around Christmas when it is dark early, road conditions are dangerous and volumes of traffic increases. Additionally, the stretch of road that was left in the dark was quite residential and included the area outside St Martins’ Primary School and the car park of St Mary’s Queen of Peace Chapel; therefore there was a danger of injuries being sustained.”
The councillor said that he appreciated the department trying ‘their best under the difficult circumstances and budgetary restraints incurred on them’.
“As a rural county, the state of our roads is vital and issues such as potholes and broken street lighting is an ongoing issue right across the county.”
A department spokesman said: “It is with regret that we cannot provide the service the public would expect in normal circumstances with regard to fixing street light repairs. We continue to endeavour to deal with as many defects as possible as quickly as we can. However a significant budget shortfall has resulted in essential cost saving measures which have made is necessary to suspend the use of external contractors for the repair of street lights that fail, unless they pose an electrical hazard to the public.”
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