Dominic Bareham BRIGHT sparks contracted to install a new street light have left residents in the dark - by fitting the column four feet too high.Engineers from Amey are replacing broken lamps across Norfolk on behalf of the county council, including a light in an alleyway in Rosedale Gardens, Belton.

Dominic Bareham

BRIGHT sparks contracted to install a new street light have left residents in the dark - by fitting the column four feet too high.

Engineers from Amey are replacing broken lamps across Norfolk on behalf of the county council, including a light in an alleyway in Rosedale Gardens, Belton.

But the light cannot be used because the mains electricity wires do not reach far enough.

Now resident Brian Cave, whose house backs on to the footway, is calling for the problem to be solved as soon as possible because the path has not been lit for eight weeks and people are afraid of using it at night in case they are attacked.

The model boat enthusiast said homeowners also feared their properties could be targeted by burglars who would be able to escape under the cover of darkness.

Mr Cave said: “The young lady who lives across the alley from me said the only light it gets is from security lights.

“It is a main access to Rosedale Gardens, but at the moment there is one light at one end and another light at the other but nothing in the middle.

“People are concerned about security and safety while walking along the path because it is quite uneven in places.”

The self-employed mechanic said workmen came out to repair the existing light, which has been in place since he moved to Rosedale Gardens 15 years ago, after he called the council three weeks ago.

But he said the engineers used gaffer tape to patch up the ageing pole and the bulb had gone out again within two days of the work being carried out, much to 55-year-old Mr Cave's amusement.

Since then, he has called the county council on a number of occasions to ask if the fault could be repaired and although the new light has been installed next to the existing lamp no light has been shed either on the alleyway or on whether the current pole is going to be removed.

He said he had even been told workmen could not remove it on health and safety grounds, although he did not know what these “safety fears” were.

Charlotte Crutchley, spokeswoman for Amey, said: “Amey will be removing the old lighting column this week and commissioning the new one straight away. Amey appreciates the patience of the residents of Rosedale Gardens whilst this matter is dealt with.”