RESIDENTS LEFT IN THE DARK OVER REMOVAL OF VICTORIAN STREET LIGHTS

10.6.03

Lib Dem Crouch End councillor, David Winskill has contacted Haringey Council to ask them to suspend their programme of replacing Victorian street lamps in Felix Avenue, at the heart of Crouch End, following urgent calls from local residents angry about the sudden removal of the lights.

The council is removing the Victorian light columns because they are believed to be corroded beyond repair and as part of the larger borough-wide community safety initiatives demand for higher levels of street lighting.

Cllr Winskill, although aware of the need for lighting to be improved in the area as a crime reduction measure, shares the concerns of residents who feel the new lights and columns are not in keeping with Crouch End's Victorian surroundings. He is now seeking information on how the new street lamp designs were approved as well as demanding that work on removing the current lamps stops until the issue is resolved.

Cllr Winskill comments:

"I have asked Haringey to suspend the installation of the new lights, with the exception of the replacement of acutely dangerous lamp posts, until this issue is resolved.

"Haringey Council says that they took advice on the appropriateness of the replacement steel columns - however the local residents and myself feel they are far from appropriate. I will seek details of whether they made any efforts to seek any sort of grant to replace the lamps with a design more in keeping with Crouch End.

"Better lighting is essential for reducing crime across the borough. However it is important that we ensure that the new lights are in keeping with their old surroundings."

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