Hugging Street Lights in Croydon

It is always interesting to see what it is that stirs people into action.  Fed up with the actions of the Council some Croydonites have resorted to hugging their street lighting columns  to protest at their replacement under the modernisation programme. It made for a good read in yesterday’s Evening Standard.

The story headed ‘Police send in the light brigade’ tells of the residents of Mowbray Rd in Crystal Palace including mothers with babies to protest. The lighting replacement contractors rang 999 because they felt threatened!!!

The current Victorian style lamps in the road were only installed  in 2001.

The Council should not be surprised. I warned the Scrutiny Committee on 11 June that various concerns were bubbling up around the Borough, and urged it to hold a review of the programme. Labour’s Bernadette Kahn agreed with me.

The contactor's workmen were of course being naive when they advised the residents to take the matter up with the Council - as if would get a speedy response. Far from it.

 My wife An and I wrote to the Officer in charge on 23 June, and have not had any sort of reply.  We are particularly concerned about the proposed siting of the new lamp posts right on the boundary with our front garden wall. We have supported the suggestion a neighbour made earlier in the month for a meeting with residents. But no offer of a date yet.

If you are concerned about the street lighting replacement programme in your street you can write to:

Mr John Algar

Croydon and Lewisham Council Team

Unit 4, Bath House Road,

Beddington Lane,

Croydon, CR0 4TT

Best to copy to your local Councillors.

Evening Standard: www.standard.co.uk/news/london/send-in-the-light-brigade-workmen-call-for-help-after-residents-hug-lamp-posts-to-stop-them-being-removed-8687280.html?origin=internalSearch

See also: http://newsfromcrystalpalace.co.uk

The story has even made Construction Enquirer:

www.constructionenquirer.com/2013/07/05/skanska-highways-crew-call-police-over-lamp-post-huggers