Still in the dark over station car park lights

Worried commuters face winter blackout

Drumgelloch rail passengers are still facing a blackout in the station car park as winter sets in, with its lights still to be repaired after months out of action.

The Advertiser told earlier this year how the lampposts had been in darkness since January, while North Lanarkshire Council and Network Rail debated which organisation is responsible for their maintenance.

Now the council says it is aiming to carry out a temporary repair, although there is no timescale for completion – while the rail firm investigates longerterm improvements.

Petersburn commuter Lesley Bowen, who first highlighted the lack of illumination at the station, said: “We’re into the darker nights now and the situation in the car park is unchanged.

“There seems to be no urgency on the parts of all involved. I know Neil Gray MP has been in discussion with them, but they seem to be dragging their heels.”

She had told the Advertiser back in April: “The lights had been going out regularly since the start of December and the past month has been pitch black.

“Lights are on at the station platform but the car park is in total darkness and you can’t see in front of your face; I’d fallen twice and hurt myself, young girls have their phones out trying to see kerbs, it’s not safe for elderly people or families and there’s the security concern for cars.”

Mr Gray, the Airdrie MP, says he has written to both Network Rail and the council within the past month to ask for updates and a joint meeting.

He said: “The council say Network Rail is working on a solution and they’re confident it will get sorted out.

“Passengers just want some clarity as this situation has been going on for months; it needs to be resolved for constituents.”

The debate between the two companies earlier this year centred on the council believing that Network Rail is responsible for maintaining the lighting columns are they are controlled from electrical equipment on the station platform; while the station operator says the car park is the responsibility of the local authority.

A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: “We are hoping to be able to carry out repairs to the existing lighting at the car park as a temporary measure, while Network Rail work on a permanent solution which would allow the council to take over maintenance of the lighting system.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We are currently developing plans to refurbish and improve the lighting at this station.”

Lack of clarity Commuters have taken a dim view of delays in illuminating Drumgelloch station