‘Turn the street lights back on’

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

The debate surrounding street safety in the wake Sarah Everard’s murder in London has reached the Welshpool area with a campaign launched to switch back on all of the county’s street lights. 

Powys County Council switched off some of the lights in Powys over a decade ago to save cash, but two county councillors have start a campaign to reverse the decision.

Newtown’s Action for Powys members, Cllrs Joy Jones and Les Skilton have set up a petition: “Shine a light on safety .. Turn our street lights back on.”

Both councillors had received “serious concerns from many residents” on the issue.

Cllr Jones, who is also Powys County Council’s anti-poverty champion, said: “It has become a focus of concern over that last few weeks with the sad news around Sarah Everard.

“For many years residents in Powys have seen reduction in street lighting. This has lead to many feeling unsafe and concerned for their welfare.

“On many estates and streets throughout Powys, there are dark areas which have left residents feeling afraid or wary to walk alone.

“We are all aware that being attacked can affect people for the rest of their lives.”

Cllr Jones added it was not just the fear of attack, but people can’t see the pavement, kerbs or steps clearly in the dark.

Cllr Skilton, added:  “We are aware there will be extra cost but that should not come before the safety of residents. More lit areas will lead to fewer places for other unsocial actives to take place such as drug taking or dealing, alcohol misuse.”

In the past, switching off street lights in the county had raised health and safety concerns, as well as fears that the crime rate would rise.

A proposal in the 2019/20 budget to save £150,000 by asking town and community councils to pay for street lighting was eventually dropped.

This was due to fears it could increase the problem of “County Lines” drug dealers using the cover of darkness in the county.

PCC first took their initial decision to switch off some street lights back in 2008.

You can find the petition by going to  https://www.change.org/p/powys-county-council-shine-a-light-on-safety-turn-our-street-lights-back-on