Safety fears over plan to switch off Gainford street light

GAINFORD Parish Council is to protest against county council plans to remove a streetlight.

Councillors say the removal of the lights, near Balmer Hill, on North Lane, will leave the area “pitch black” at night and make the road dangerous.

The county council says a risk assessment has been done and the removal is in line with national standards.

Gainford parish clerk Martin Clark told members at their November meeting that there had been a year-long consultation before the removal was confirmed.

He described the move as a cost-cutting measure by Durham County Council and streetlights across the county were being looked at.

He added that part of the county’s investigation into the removal of street lights included a look at accidents and injuries that have happened in the area and none had happened near the street light.

Cllr Simon Platten responded: “Well of course not, because it is working. That’s why it is there. It is its job. I think this is arrogant and high-handed.

“If they changed all the streetlights [in the village] to LED they would save hundreds and hundreds of pounds.”

Mr Clark told members the county council plans to look at the speed limit and put up signage to improve safety, but councillors said this would not help because parked cars would obscure the signs, particularly during large events such as the annual bonfire night.

Responding to the concerns, the county’s head of technical services, John Reed, said: “We’ll be removing this light as part of our street lighting energy reduction project and the street lighting policy, which enabled these removals, was subject to extensive public consultation.

“A thorough risk assessment is undertaken by an independent road safety auditor.

“We then consult with local councillors and town or parish councils on the assessment’s findings to ensure they reflect all relevant information.”

He added: “We only proceed if the completed risk assessment confirms that it is safe to remove the lights and if they are not required by British Standards.

“We do not remove any lights in residential areas, roundabouts, major junctions or where there are proven road safety and crime issues.”