Call for improved lighting on Southwell road

A concerned son is calling for better street lighting to be installed on a Southwell road used by his parents and other older people.

Dr Chris Oxley said parts of Leeks Close were pitch black at night.

After contacting Nottinghamshire County Council, he said a reply was dismissive and uncaring.

The council’s highway services are provided by Via, a partnership between the council and its counterparts in Cornwall.

Dr Oxley, whose parents are in their 90s, said many nearby residents were in their 70s and 80s.

He said: “Mum is very bad on her legs. She shuffles — I am worried about her.

“When people are not as mobile and their eyesight is not good, it is difficult for them. I want to make sure my parents get home safely.

“This is an issue, not just for my parents but for other people who live on the estate, especially for those walking home late at night.

“I would like Via to come here and have a look at the problem.”

Ruth Eyre, Via East Midlands’ highways liaison officer for the Newark district, wrote to Dr Oxley, saying it was not possible to provide new street lights on every road in the county.

She said Via would only consider new lighting in areas where there was an ongoing history of accidents resulting in injury.

The Advertiser contacted Via East Midlands on several occasions, but it did not provide a comment.