New dad fears for his baby’s safety in alley
Alley way behind Fyne Drive Leighton Buzzard
A knifepoint robbery in Leighton Buzzard struck fear into a man who says a similar attack could happen in his own street after it was plunged into darkness ten weeks ago.
Maurice Mills, 67, of Grange Close, Linslade, has contacted Central Bedfordshire Council SEVEN times after the street lamp at the top of his road blew out in October.
He said: “The footpath is used by young boys and girls walking to school and commuters making their way to the train station early in the morning before it’s light.
“It is not very nice. I would not like to walk through there on my own at night.”
Maurice claims he was told by the council that a report showed everything was fine with the light after a workman checked the light during the day.
Undeterred, Maurice complained a further six times, with the latest call being January 9. He added: “It is dangerous, anyone could be there waiting for you.
“In view of the knifepoint mugging elsewhere in town, it is vital to get this fixed. It has gone on long enough.
“They have fixed one of the lights at the top of the road that I was complaining about, but the main one I am concerned about is along the alleyway. They say they are in the process of fixing lights across Leighton, but in the meantime someone could get mugged.”
Councillor Brian Spurr, spokesman for sustainable communities services, said: “We are in the process of a significant programme of replacing a number of lanterns and lighting columns across the whole of Leighton Buzzard.
“Grange Close is part of that lantern change programme and Mr Mills has previously been informed of this upcoming programme of works.
“We are sorry for the delay to these lights but the works are due to start imminently in Grange Close and we trust they will bring improvements to the area.”
Andy Burrows, 32, of Fyne Drive, Linslade, has been compelled to call for action over the lack of lighting in the alleyway behind his house since the birth of his baby daughter last year.
The passionate Leighton Town fan, who has also been in touch with the council about the issue, said: “I am not normally one for complaining about these kind of things, but after reading about a few muggings in Leighton down alleyways I feel I need to.
“The alleyway behind my house in Fyne Drive must be some of the worst lighting I have seen and having just become a father I do not want my wife and child walking down there after sunset.
“The poorly lit the path way is a joke. It is dark by 4pm now and you can’t see a thing, it is pitch black there.
“I would like the light that is there to be fixed, but more to be put in would be great. I understand there are residents living there that can see the light, but something needs to be done. The more people that speak up the better.”
Central Beds Council was unable to comment about Fyne Drive before our deadline.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
