A bus and a car collided on a stretch of road in Portadown where street lighting was removed and not replaced.
The incident happened earlier this week on the Markethill Road.
As a result, TUV councillor, Keith Ratcliffe, has challenged the Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd on the decision to remove lighting.
“Just under a fortnight ago, I ensured that TUV MLA Timothy Gaston tabled a written question to Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd challenging him to explain the decision to remove street lighting on Markethill Road, Portadown, instead of replacing it,” said Councillor Ratcliffe.
“Mr Gaston, at my request, also highlighted the fact that accidents happen on this stretch of road.
“The question proved to be very pertinent as just the other night there was an accident involving a bus and a car in the area.
“I trust the Minister will be forced to see sense and reverse this foolish decision before there is a serious accident which results in injury or worse.”
Mr Gaston tabled the written question on December 5. The Minister is to offer up a response to the question by December 20.
The issue was also raised by Alderman Paul Berry who received a response from Divisional Roads Manager, Mark McPeak.
In a letter he said the lighting was removed “due to it being electrically and structurally unsafe”.
“When this scenario occurs, a fresh assessment of the specific location is carried out against current Departmental policy Street lighting to assess if the current criteria for provision of street lights is met so reinstatement is warranted.
“Regrettably in this instance the location did not meet the minimum criteria. The assessment found that the area is rural in nature with development density falling short of the minimum criteria of 10 dwellings within a 200m contiguous road length. It
was also noted there had been no recorded incidents of night-time injury collisions at this location.
“Whilst the Department understands residents’ desire to retain street lighting at this location, you will understand that we have an obligation to adhere to agreed policies so there is a consistent and equitable approach adopted across Northern Ireland.
“The severe budgetary constraint the Department has operated with for several years means that we can currently only provide the basic levels where the necessary criteria are met.”
Alderman Berry commented: “Following the letter from Mr McPeak I have requested a meeting with him to discuss this latest and accident on Thursday evening.
“I will be speaking to the PSNI but I believe the recent removal of lights from this rural location by DFI has left this location very dark and dangerous and DFI have serious questions to answer.
“The removal of these lights without any consultation was despicable and the residents have been treated with contempt by DFI and I will be making my views known to them.
“I have emailed Mr McPeak and informed him of this accident as this was something which I feared would happen.”
