A47 Street Light Repairs Face Further Delays in Lowestoft

Further delays have been announced for the repair of broken street lights on a major road, a situation that campaigners first highlighted over two years ago due to safety concerns. National Highways had previously indicated that repairs on the A47 in Lowestoft, Suffolk, would commence in June. However, the agency stated this week that a power pillar on Jubilee Way, essential for the lights and already slated for replacement, was hit by a vehicle once more, resulting in “more extensive damage”. Residents expressed their frustration upon discovering that a confirmed start date for the specialist team required to perform the repairs has not yet been established. Lowestoft town councillor Wendy Brooks, who organized a protest march, emphasized that the insufficient lighting poses a hazard to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Councillor Brooks stated, “After our small demonstration we were told that National Highways were going to have the work all done by June but that hasn’t happened.” She added, “If there have been two collisions with this feeder pillar then it will be to do with the lack of light because, when you drive along St Peter’s Street, just before the roundabout, you suddenly hit extreme darkness.” She further commented, “Venturing along the A47 when it’s dark is a nightmare and I just can’t believe that National Highways has let this situation go on for two years.” A National Highways spokesperson confirmed, “The original feeder pillar in need of replacement was again struck by a vehicle, causing more extensive damage. This has resulted in a specialist team being required to carry out work to enable the replacement pillar to be connected to the UK power network. We have booked a local company to undertake the work and are awaiting a confirmed date for them to attend.” Earlier in the year, National Highways issued a “sincerely apologised” to the public regarding the delays in repairing and upgrading the street lights on the town’s primary thoroughfare. The agency had previously identified a “specific issue” concerning a feeder pillar on Jubilee Way, which supplies power to the lights. In January 2023, National Highways acknowledged awareness of street lighting problems in the vicinity and stated its efforts to procure LED lights to substitute older, sodium lanterns that were no longer in production.