A COUNCILLOR has expressed his frustration over a huge streetlight issue in the district.

James Abbott, county and district councillor for the Rivenhall area, says there are 38 streetlights currently not working in the parish, including one that was knocked down and is still missing.

Each autumn Mr Abbott carries out an audit of all the streetlights in Rivenhall and Rivenhall End, and separately Silver End.

This year he has seen the highest number of streetlights not working in the Rivenhall parish to date.

All of the failed streetlights have been reported on the Essex Highways 'Tell Us' online system and Mr Abbott has also submitted a written report to Essex County Council.

He says it is a “failure” by the council to have so many streetlights out.

Mr Abbott said: “There is a need to balance the use of streetlights with energy use and protecting the environment and I have always supported the part-night lighting system operated by Essex County Council where suitable lights go off between 1am and 5am to save energy.

“However, with sunset coming now before 4.30pm and winter drawing closer, it is important that all streetlights are on during the late afternoons and into the evenings when many people are still out and about.

“For 38 streetlights to be not working at all just in one parish is clearly a failure on the part of Essex County Council to do its job and represents poor value for money for local taxpayers – the lion’s share of the council tax goes to Essex County Council.

“I have written to Essex County Council to ask why so many streetlights are not working in Rivenhall parish and when they will be repaired.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We are aware of the streetlights in question and apologise for the delay.

“This is compounded by the fact that they require new telecell units, the supply of which has been affected by global shortages.

“These are now beginning to be obtainable again and we are doing everything in our power to fix streetlights such as these as soon as we can.”