Street light repair problems ‘worst in decades’, says MLA

George Robinson was speaking after it was revealed by the Department for Infrastructure at Stormont that more than 12,000 of the 290,000 streetlights in Northern Ireland are awaiting repairs.

The Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon, has confirmed that there isn’t enough money for a “full street lighting repair service”.

Ms Mallon, responding to a query from People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll, said: “I have inherited severe budgetary challenges and resources are not currently available to my department to provide a full street lighting repair service. As a result, outages are taking longer than usual to be repaired.”

Mr Robinson, who is based in Limavady and represents the East Londonderry constituency, told the News Letter some lights in his area had been out for “upwards of six months”.

He said: “In 35 years as an elected representative this is without question the worst situation for street lighting.

“Lights in my constituency have been out for upwards of six months and there is no sign of them being repaired despite repeated requests from me. This is creating an atmosphere of fear among the older generation and amongst our rural dwelling population.”

He continued: “I have personal experience of people expressing fear to me because of the lack of street lights in their area. I have sympathy with the minister who has taken over a very difficult department and challenging budget circumstances. I urge her and the finance minister to address this as a matter of urgency.”

The Department for Infrastructure said £1.2 million is needed to clear the repairs backlog.