An elderly woman has pleaded for street lighting in her area to be restored after weeks of darkness.
Dorothy Hudson, of Gambleside, Vange, claims the lighting on local streets has been cut off since before April.
She no longer feels safe walking near her house after dark, especially as gangs of youths have taken to gathering in the area.
Left in the dark : Dorothy Hudson says she no longer feels safe and has appealed for the street lights to be turned back on quickly Picture: ROB BROWNE
Mrs Hudson said: "I don't feel safe at night. You can't see where you are walking and I could easily trip and hurt myself.
"There are also a lot of children hanging around and with no light to see what's going on you just don't know what to expect."
A spokesperson for Help The Aged said she was shocked at the "disgraceful situation". She said: "A lot of older people have a fear about going out in the dark and a lack of street lighting only makes that worse."
A spokesperson for 24seven apologised but claimed Basildon Council had not informed them about the streetlight faults in Gambleside and Swanstead Road until May 23. The firm was to schedule any necessary repairs.
Nobody at Basildon Council was available for comment.
Published Monday, June 9, 2003
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