For groups in opposition, the press release below is based on one issued by LDHQ as well as an excel file full of figures to help.
Councils taking years to fix faulty streetlights
The Liberal Democrats have warned that cuts to council funding risk plunging the country into darkness, and that broken street lighting is “a gift to criminals.”
Some councils are taking almost three years to fix faulty streetlights, figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats have revealed.
Most councils take an average of a week to fix a broken streetlight, but for some councils the average is almost one month. In total over 33,000 streetlights across the country are currently broken.
The longest delays have been in Suffolk (1,053 days), Knowsley (1,002) Swindon (871 days). Fifteen councils had a streetlight that took a year or more to be fixed in 2016/17. Excuses for the delays include the need for extensive tree trimming, the need for portable scaffolding to reach inaccessible areas and a lack of special equipment.
In [INSERT NAME OF LOCAL COUNCIL], the number of faulty streetlights is now [INSERT FIGURE FROM COLUMN D]. The average time to fix streetlights is [INSERT FIGURE FROM COLUMN H].
And the longest delay in [INSERT NAME OF LOCAL COUNCIL] is now [INSERT FIGURE FROM COLUMN L], with the total currently faulty being [INSERT FIGURE FROM COLUMN N].
Across the country, the number of streetlights being reported faulty is down from 641,000 two years ago to 562,000 this year, down 12%. Reasons for this fall can include fewer night patrols checking how many lights are faulty.
Local Liberal Democrat Campaigner, [YOUR NAME], commented:
“It is shocking that in some areas it is taking months or even years to fix faulty streetlights.
“Our streets are being plunged into darkness as a result of cuts to council funding. It is a gift to criminals and a threat to public safety.
“This is especially concerning in the dark winter months when people rely on street lighting to get home safely.
“Street lighting is crucial to help cut crime and reduce the risk of road accidents.
“Cash-strapped councils must be given more resources to detect faulty street lights and get them repaired as soon as possible.”
ENDS