Streetlight Switch-Off 'Number One Surgery Complaint' Says MP (Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats)

Cymraeg
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Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats <info@brecon-radnor-libdems.org.uk>

Streetlight Switch-Off 'Number One Surgery Complaint' Says MP

November 6, 2008 12:00 AM

The mass switch-off of streetlights in Powys has become the top complaint made to one of Powys's two Liberal Democrat MPs, Brecon & Radnorshire's Roger Williams.

According to the MP, who is currently conducting a series of 'street surgeries' across the constituency, the issue is almost always the first thing brought up on the doorstep by constituents, eclipsing even credit crunch worries. Mr. Williams has publicly expressed his opposition to Powys County Council's streetlight switch-off, based on the lack of consultation with local communities before it started and the inadequate consideration of alternative options, such as part-night lighting.

Commenting on the response from his constituents, Mr. Williams said:

"If the county council needed proof that this issue is causing real anxiety and anger among Powys residents, then my street surgery experiences can provide it. As the evenings draw in, now that winter is upon us, this anxiety is bound to increase and local residents are not persuaded by the council's arguments about having to save money to cover increases in energy costs."

"Part of the reason for local people's anger is that they can see lights left on overnight in county council buildings and depots. The council claims that these need to left switched on for security reasons, but yet the security and well-being of local council taxpayers in their streets seems to be of secondary importance."

"Despite the recent efforts of my Liberal Democrat colleagues on the county council to overturn the policy, it now appears that the streetlight switch-off will continue. Let us hope the review promised to start from the end of November will produce a change of heart and the switching on of at least some of those lights that have been switched off. I and my council colleagues will certainly be working towards that goal," concluded Mr. Williams.

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