CONCERNED residents of Bainfield Road, Cardross, are calling on the council to fix their street lighting after four nights spent in darkness.

John Robins, 59, noticed the fault last Friday evening and reported it to Argyll and Bute Council amid fears it could cause traffic accidents and leave elderly residents feeling vulnerable in their homes.

Despite highlighting the matter as urgent via Argyll and Bute Council’s website form, five days later the lights remain out and Mr Robins was left with little to no information as to when the problem might be fixed.

Argyll and Bute Council has since confirmed it will be Friday, February 12 before an electrician will be available tomorrow to correct the fault.

Mr Robins said: “It’s absolutely ridiculous. I know I’m not the only person to have complained. This will be the fourth night we’ve had without any light to the street.

“One lamp out is one thing, but for the whole street to be out is dangerous.

“Having no street lighting is a hazard to traffic and pedestrians, as well as a security risk.”

Mr Robins also expressed concern that the last light on Bainfield Road is the only illumination for the Bainfield Pedestrian Rail Crossing, which may pose a risk to pedestrians in the area.

He feels that other, more vulnerable members of the community are also likely to feel anxious at night without adequate lighting outside their homes.

Mr Robins added: “It won’t affect the likes of me as much, but there are elderly and disabled people living on this street and they need the lights.

“There are people living on their own who feel insecure and vulnerable if there’s no lighting in the street. We’ve had people being broken into before and we don’t want it happening again.”

Mr Robins received an e-mail from Councillor Ellen Morton on Monday, February 8 advising that an electrician could not be sent immediately due to staff shortages in Argyll and Bute, and the council hoped to bring an electrician from another area to help within the next few days.

Mr Robins said: “I can’t believe there was no-one out at the weekend to fix it. I’d hoped for this to be sorted yesterday at the latest. There are about 100 houses here and we all pay our bit in council tax. Just fix the lights. The lights are a fairly basic thing and they are also essential.”

A council spokesman said: “We regret the delay in fixing the street lights at Bainfield Road. The delay is due to an unavoidable staffing shortage, but we can confirm that an electrician has been booked to go out on Friday, February 12 to correct the fault.”

As the Advertiser went to press on Wednesday, the lights were reported to have been fixed.