Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, recently held a meeting in his Westminster office with the Chief Executive of UK Power Networks, Mr Basil Scarsella, and Cllr Laureen Shaw, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways at Essex County Council, to discuss the number of streetlights currently out of action across Essex.

During the meeting, Mark and Cllr Shaw raised their concerns that hundreds of streetlights are currently non-operational across the county. In particular, Mark expressed that a number of his constituents have contacted him about the issue of poorly lit roads for drivers and the worry that many vulnerable residents have had to face when returning home, particularly during the winter months.

Whilst sitting down to discuss the issue of streetlights, Mark also took the opportunity to discuss the role of utility companies in frequently digging up the roads and the inconvenience this causes to local residents. This issue is closely tied to Mark’s Ten-Minute Rule Bill- The Roadworks ‘Regulation’ Bill- the essence of which aims to tighten legislation surrounding roadworks, to try and ensure that companies conduct them in a much more efficient and timely manner.

Commenting on the meeting, Mark Francois MP said:

“I have received a growing number of emails from worried constituents regarding the increasing number of non-operational streetlights, which is proving worrying for both drivers and pedestrians alike.

“It was thus good to meet with both Cllr Shaw (who has taken a close interest in the issue) and Mr Scarscella, to raise these concerns. Mr Scarscella has promised to update me accordingly over the coming weeks about how UK Power Networks are seeking to rectify this problem, as a matter of priority."