Broken streetlight sparks safety fears (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Broken streetlight sparks safety fears

7:00am Saturday 8th September 2012 in News

A CONCERNED son claims his elderly mother is being put in danger because no one will take responsibility for fixing a street light.

Frank James says a light on Sunbeam Avenue, Jaywick, has been broken for more than a year, making the road perilous at night.

And he slammed the authorities for not acting sooner to make the road safer.

“The light down there broke a long time ago, but no one will come and fix it," he said.

“My mother Erica James lives there and she is 99 years old. She still goes out to bingo at night and I am very worried for her.

“I can’t be there all the time to make sure she is okay.

“There have been four muggings in this area this year alone. It is just pitch black down there. “All the other roads on this estate have working lights apart from this one. It is not good enough.

“I have tried talking to the council, highways and our local MP, but no one seems to be able to help because they say it is a private road.”

Mr James added: “My mum has lived there since 1979, she pays her rates just like everyone else and the least they could do is make sure she has a working streetlight to make that road a little safer.”

Jaywick councillor Dan Casey said he would see if something could be done.

“I’m not sure why this has been going on for so long but I will chase this up until I get to the bottom of it,” he said.