Richard Wilson

My campaign to get our ancient local streetlights improved was re-ignited this week when I saw this precarious lamppost in Nelson Road (pictured).  It looks like its going to topple into residents’ front gardens.

The photo was taken at midday and the light was on – so I think the timer must be out of kilter too.  I’ve reported it to the street-lighting officers – suggesting that this shows the need for a proper programme for reconditioning or replacing the lampposts.  At the present rate of work these old columns will have to last another hundred years.

I’m also pressing the Council to save as many of the old columns as possible to recondition and re-use in appropriate locations.  But it demonstrates the Labour Council’s complete inability to get even the basics right, that we still have so many of these rusting, dull, energy-inefficient old lamps in the Borough.

I’ve been keeping up the pressure on the Council to improve the streetlighting on Stapleton Hall Road, after a pledge to install new lamposts has been delayed.  As I mentioned in my previous post in July the Council promised to replace the inadequate streetlights, as a result of residents raising safety concerns.   I was originally told this would happen in September, then October - and I’m still assured it will be very soon.

I’ve also been pressing the Council to recondition the old Victorian lampposts and to reuse them in suitable places.  Apparently, they plan to try to reuse the ones from Stapleton Hall Road in Lordship Recreation Ground in the east of the borough.

It would be great if some of the old streetlights in Stroud Green could be saved and reused in the local area.  But its also really important (especially now the clocks have gone back and its dark so early) that there is decent lighting so people feel safe walking home in the evening.

Following lots of lobbying from Stroud Green Residents Association (SGRA) - with a bit of support from me - the Council have agreed to replace the streetlights on the section of Stapleton Hall Road between Quernmore and Oakfield.  According to the email I have had from the Council 9 new lamp posts will be installed in September.

This is because of complaints that the poor lighting on that section makes the road dangerous at night.  Earlier this year a local woman was flashed by a man hiding in bushes on this section of the Road - who was probably taking advantage of the poor lighting.

In my 3 years of being a Councillor this is the first time I have ever heard of the Council replacing street lights in Stroud Green ward – so lets hope this is the start of something bigger.  Last I heard is that the lights are so ancient (they are the original Victorian gas lights converted to electric use) that English Heritage were trying to get them listed!

I’ve contacted the Council to find out what’s happening to the old lights and if some of them are going to be re-conditioned and preserved somewhere else.  We need to preserve our heritage as well as keeping our roads safe.