Resident demands action over broken light

Buy photos » Bretforton resident Marcus Wood wants the street light outside his home to be repaired as soon as possible to help reduce the number of near accidents on Station Road. 0412026NHR

A FRUSTRATED resident is demanding a street light outside his home is fixed to help reduce the number of road accidents.

Marcus Wood, from Station Road in Bretforton near Evesham, said he is fed up with nothing being done after making numerous complaints about the broken light and fears for people's safety with drivers constantly speeding on the busy road.

The light has not been working for at least twelve months after a car crashed into it and Mr Wood said the road had seen an increase in near accidents over the past year.

"This road is situated in a 30mph area with OAP bungalows, houses with young children and a recreation ground just opposite and the number of cars I see speeding along here going 60 or even 70mph is frightening," he said. "It's dangerous, especially with no light here.

"Along the road they get to the 30mph sign where the next light is and realise they are going way too fast and have to slam their brakes down. If this light was working properly then this may help reduce the speeding and near misses we see day in and day out.

"Over the past year we've seen so many near scrapes and me, my wife and other residents have had enough. We have complained to the parish council and sent a petition to Worcestershire County Council but we've had no reply and not seen anything done.

"I would hate for anything seriously bad to happen when there has been an opportunity to sort this out."

Rachel Benson, Highways Control Centre Team Leader at Worcestershire County Council said they were willing to discuss Mr Woods concerns with him but said the street light was the responsibility of Bretforton Parish Council.

"We would be happy to meet Marcus on site to discuss the issues with a view to taking speed counts at identified locations to better understand the situation," she said.

"Station Road is a 30mph road and where vehicles are exceeding the limit, enforcement falls under the responsibility of the Police. We have contacted the Police direct to make them aware of Mr Woods' comments.

"With regards to the street lighting we were asked by the police to attend and make safe damage to the streetlight following an accident, however the street light is the responsibility of the parish council."

Bretforton Parish Council said it was doing its utmost to fix the street light as soon as possible.