Lighting Scandal On The Avenue Says Lib Dem Local Councillor

12.00.00am GMT Sun 11th Jan 2009

Councillor Gary Malcolm with local resident Clare Williamson complaining about broken lights

Lib Dem Councillor for Southfield is shocked that after eight weeks four lights at the Southern end of The Avenue, W4, are still out.

This was first reported by a local resident Clare Williamson on 17th November 2008, who then (after no action) contacted Councillor Gary Malcolm with her concerns. After investigation Gary Malcolm has discovered a number of cock-ups by the lighting contractor, Ealing Lighting Limited, and their management by Ealing Council.

Some of the cock-ups:

• Council initially by-passed the contractor and went directly to the electricity board

• They promised that the work would be done but it wasn't

• Another promised date (27th Dec) was missed as the contractor closed the job down on their system when the job had NOT BEEN DONE - it then had to be re-opened again!

• This past Monday the contractor gave a "completely different story" (in a council officer's email) and said a member of their staff attended the scene and said the lights work.

Councillor Gary Malcolm said: "It really annoys me when the Council and their contractors let residents down. Having one light out increases the chances of personal crime but four next to each other really adds to the risk. I expect that the contractor and the Council fix the lights or install temporary columns until they do."

Local resident Clare Williamson said: "It is completely dark at night. Only the shops near Bedford corner give some light. When they shut there is no light. It's the Council job to light our streets. That is what I pay my rates for."