SDLP MLA Joe Byrne.
SDLP MLA Joe Byrne has expressed his concern at how quickly the financial pressures at Stormont have already started to impact on communities at a grassroots level.
Mr Byrne said “recent revelations” that Roads Service would not be repairing any street lighting had presented “considerable concerns” to residents throughout the Strabane district.
Mr Byrne said: “I have serious concerns over the potential safety hazards of street lights within the Strabane area if they go unrepaired.
“The SDLP in Strabane, have warned that the Roads Minister’s decision to stop funding the repair of street lights will not only make roads more dangerous but also present considerable difficulties for vulnerable elderly residents and the general public.”
Mr Byrne said the warning came after the SDLP “flagged” a series of complaints with the Department of Regional Development (DRD) about the unrepaired lighting of back lanes throughout a number of residential areas across the district.
Mr Byrne added: “Roads Service told the SDLP advice centre in Strabane that they were not carrying out any street light repairs in any residential area due to the current budget constraints and that it was not their policy to replace lighting in back lanes.
“A vulnerable adult from Strabane had approached me about a street light outside her home which was not working.
“On contacting Roads Service seeking a repair within the usual five working days, they informed me that, they were not carrying out any street light repairs due to budget constraints.”
Mr Byrne revealed he had written to the Roads Minister to clarify his position on this cut in services.
He added: “Is he really going to just let the street lights go out across the North, putting people at risk over the dark winter nights?
“We all understand that budgets are tight – all departments are being asked to make savings. The failure within Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister to agree a way forward on welfare reform has also increased the strain on the available resources.
“But there are real issues about safety on our streets if the Minister continues with this approach.”
“In the autumn and winter months working street lighting is essential to ensure the safety of local residents, children travelling to and from school and motorists.
“Dark streets in our towns are an invitation to criminals to increase their antisocial activity. In other forums where I have engaged with older people, high on their agenda is the fear of crime, and street lights not working only adds to this fear.”
Mr Byrne concluded: “It would be a much better use of the minister’s time to begin actively challenging the two main parties who are responsible for the current stalemate rather than causing anxiety among those who expect him to protect the services he is responsible for>”
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