Safety fears as village streets are left in dark
NO street lighting on most of Prestbury’s roads is leaving residents in the dark – and creating a ‘safety hazard’.
Diane Maurice, 58, says her on walk home from the village centre – along Bollin Road and Brocklehurst Drive to Butley Lanes – there is no lighting.
And this is replicated on most, if not all, streets in Prestbury once the main road of the Village/New Road is left behind.
She wants Cheshire East Council to provide more and in the meantime has raised the matter with Prestbury Parish Council.
Diane, who has lived in the village for two months, said: “It is so dangerous, residents don’t go out without a torch, how ridiculous is that in 2019?
“There are a lot of elderly people in Prestbury so it is a safety issue, especially in winter when it goes dark early.
“People love Christmas because you can see a bit better with lights in people’s windows.
“I used to live in Alderley Edge, where all the side roads have lights.”
Members of Prestbury Parish Council discussed the issue at their meeting on Tuesday, February 13.
Speaking afterwards chairman John Martin said although there was little street lighting in Prestbury it was not something the parish council would pursue.
He added previous surveys of residents had found similar numbers of people for and against having more.
Not wanting light pollution was a factor in this, cost for what is a large area was prohibitive and reasons that may make lighting necessary - such as crime and accidents - were not present.
A Cheshire East Council spokesman said: “We take the safety of road users and pedestrians seriously and have a clear policy in relation to street lighting.
“The borough is predominantly rural but, in many small and mediumsize villages, street lighting is usually present on well-used roads or in residential areas.
“The provision of street lighting is not a mandatory function of the local authority, although the council can provide lighting on adopted roads, where required.
“Street lighting in rural areas will only be present to meet a clear road safety concern.
“We are aware that a resident in Prestbury has requested street lighting where this council would not normally provide it.
“We have not had a similar request from the parish council or elected ward members.”