A YORK woman has called for greater urgency with the repair of broken or damaged streetlights, after a section of cycle path near her home was left in darkness for nine months.

Kate Kirman, who has lived in Pulleyn Drive for more than 20 years, said she first contacted City of York Council last year to report the faulty lights.

“There are three streetlights which have been out of action since mid-November,” she said.

“I’ve made dozens of phone calls to the council, but they said the firm contracted to fix them were refusing to do so. But 36 weeks is ridiculous. Normally, when lights go out, they’re fixed in a few days.”

Mrs Kirman’s property backs on to the cycle path, which runs between Tadcaster Road and Hob Moor, and is faced by a number of allotments.

She said there had already been vandalism in the allotments over the years, but the lack of light could encourage further crime.

Sally Burns, director of communities and neighbourhoods at City of York Council, said: “The council was made aware of a problem with street lighting near Little Hob Moor last November. We immediately contacted CE Electrics, the electricity supplier responsible for repairing and maintaining this electricity cable. We are working with CE Electrics and hope to resolve this issue as soon as possible.”

However, a spokesman for CE Electric said: “Broken street lighting on the cycle path that leads from Hob Moor to Tadcaster Road is not owned by CE Electric UK.”

Pledge on street lights

STREET lights removed from Burton Stone Lane in York will be returned say the council.

The assurance comes after residents complained that City of York Council had left them in dark when it removed a number of street lights from the area near the busy Sainsbury’s store and the Corner House pub.

Sally Burns, director of communities and neighbourhoods at City of York Council, said: “City of York Council and AMEY, the council’s street lights partner, are carrying out a citywide survey of all street lights to ensure they are structurally safe.“Some street lights in York are over 40 years old and over time have become damaged or worn, so are currently being removed and upgraded.

“We apologise for any inconvenience whilst these essential works are taking place.

For more information about where the works are being carried out in the city please contact 01904 551551.”