Dark walk home fears

RESIDENTS worried about walking along an unlit road are demanding a lamppost be replaced.

Lib Dem councillor Karen Chilvers has been complaining that a street light in St James's Road, Brentwood, has still not been replaced five months after it was taken out when a housing development went ahead.

It was removed during the building of Brunel House but, despite a promise that it would be restored before the winter nights drew in, residents are still waiting.

This means that people who live in Rollason Way, Chase Road, Wharf Road, Railway Square and St James's Road are faced with a dark walk home from the station and are fearing for their safety.

Cllr Chilvers said: "A number of residents contacted me about this issue and I've been trying to get this light re-installed since last September. I have been constantly fobbed off by Essex County Council with vague promises of it being completed in the New Year and, recently, them washing their hands of it and passing the buck to the developer.

They must recognise that this puts residents in a vulnerable position when they are out after dark and I am asking for urgent action to restore the lamppost so residents can feel safe on their way to and from their homes.

"In simple terms, we want a date for installation and we want it soon."

The Gazette contacted Essex County Council a week ago for a response, but so far they have been unavailable to comment.