‘WE WANTED THE BLINKING LIGHT FIXED... THAT’S ALL WE ASKED FOR’
Action finally taken – eight months later...
RESIDENTS have won an eightmonth fight to get a broken street light fixed outside their homes.
Staffs Housing has apologised for the delay in fixing the light on John Wallace Close, in Fegg Hayes and carried out the repairs recently.
Pensioner Hilda Oakes has lived on the cul-de-sac for nine years.
The 83-year-old said: “Having no stret light had a huge impact. When it gets dark it’s pitch black and we have no pavement outside the bungalow.
“I don’t feel safe going out because there’s no lighting when it gets dark.
“It’s shocking seeing as we are elderly people. People come up in their cars, and with no pavement and it being dark, they can’t really see you.
“You can’t even jump out of the way. It’s been stressful for us. We have been complaining about it for a long time. We’ve not been listened to up until now.
“We wanted the blinking light fixed, that’s all we asked for.”
Son Kirk says Staffs Housing has previously given numerous repair dates – but nobody has been out.
The 55-year-old added: “The lamp has been repaired for a second time, but this time it’s been going on for eight months now.
“They keep giving a date for repair and nobody ever turns up.
“It’s dark at night now and you can’t see. It’s pitch black. It affects older people.
“They have got to walk up the road because there’s no pavement and it’s a narrow road.
“I’ve had about seven repair dates and nobody has ever turned up.
“Somebody should have been out on October 9 and they never turned up.
“I don’t feel their response has been very good. I’m worried for the elderly people who live around here. There’s no safety.
“You get quite a few people visiting and you get them taking the wrong turn.
“If one of the older people is on the bend they haven’t got time to get out of the way.
“We’ve all tried getting it repaired but nothing seems to be done. In the summer it’s not too bad because it gets dark later.
“Now it’s getting darker, it would have had a massive impact on residents.
“I’m upset they have not sorted it out before. I am disappointed with the service.”
Staffs Housing has issued an apology to residents. Head of customer experience, Mary Walker, said: “We’re really sorry that Mrs Oakes and the elderly residents at John Wallace Close have been without suitable lighting for so long.
“Unfortunately, we have had some delays with our repairs and
maintenance service due to our change of contractor.
“The impact of the pandemic has also created both a lack of materials and availability of qualified tradespeople.
“We’re doing everything we possibly can to improve our service and are working hard to get on top of the situation.”