Labour councillors back residents’ campaign to stop street lighting along The Leas

Members of the Horsley Hill Labour Party have unanimously given their support to a resident-led campaign to stop street lighting being installed along The Leas.

Residents in Bamburgh Avenue and Norfolk Road launched the campaign in June in an effort to prevent South Tyneside Council from installing new lighting columns on a previously unlit section of the Coast Road.

The lighting is part of the improvement works to enhance the walking and cycling route along the Coast Road - with the route forming part of the National Cycle Network.

However, the work ran into difficulties when the lighting was started to be placed on The Leas, which is owned and managed by the National Trust.

The Shields Gazette understands that the Trust had no knowledge of the work being carried out until it was flagged to them by residents.

Work was halted as the Council stated that it would consult further with the National Trust and local residents, as well as await the results of an environmental impact study.

The local authority previously told the Gazette: “The cycleway is being brought up to standard for which lighting is a requirement for safety reasons.

“Consultation is ongoing with the National Trust as well as other statutory consultees.

“The scheme also comes following consultation on the Local Cycling Walking and Infrastructure Plan which found that residents were in strong support for improved cycle and walking routes along the A183.

“Local residents are assured that the new lights are fitted with a shield which aims to reduce glare towards residential properties and focus the light on the walking/cycling route and roadway only.”

The Horsley Hill Labour Party Branch has stated that it will be writing to the South Shields Labour Party to seek their support for the campaign, as well as informing Cllr Tracey Dixon, leader of South Tyneside Council, of their opposition to the installation of street lighting.

A spokesperson for the Branch said: “Members feel there simply has not been the appropriate consultation undertaken with local residents in Norfolk Road and Bamburgh Avenue.

“Clearly we welcome the upgrade to the footpaths and new safety crossings on the Coast Road but this cannot come at the expense of erecting new lighting which will have a detrimental impact on wildlife habitat in the area.”

Eileen Leask, councillor for the Horsley Hill ward, added: “I just feel this whole project has not been managed well from the start.

“I am grateful works have been halted whilst we await the results of the environmental impact survey, but emotions are running  high because and residents simply cannot see the justification for destroying views of the night sky along this section of the Coast Road”.

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Residents opposing the installation of street lighting have voiced their concerns about the impact on local wildlife and the ability to see views of the night sky.

Just last week, Shields Gazette readers submitted impressive photos of the Northern Lights over South Tyneside - with many of the images captured along The Leas.

Following backing from the Horsley Hill Labour Party Branch, the matter will now be discussed at a future meeting of the East Shields and Whitburn Community Area Forum.

For more information about the Coast Road Cycleway Scheme, visit: www.southtyneside.gov.uk/cyclewayscheme.

You can stay up to date with the resident’s campaign via: https://www.facebook.com/groups/483481571024508.