We are pleased to report that last week the clerk to Monk Hesleden Parish Council received confirmation that the county council had acceded to our request to retain all lighting along this stretch of road. Reproduced below is a press release issued by the clerk to the parish council:
Over the past few years the Parish Council, together with County Councillors Rob Crute and Lynn Pounder, has challenged Durham County Council over its proposals to remove street lighting on some stretches of highway between our villages.
Most recently objections have been raised about the removal of lighting on the on the B1281 Hesleden Road near to Hardwicke Manor Hotel and the A1086, linking Blackhall with Horden.
As a result of our representations the council has now agreed to leave four street lights in place near to the Hardwicke Hall Manor Hotel which we have insisted is a particularly dangerous stretch of road, especially during hours of darkness.
In relation to the proposals to remove all street lighting along the A1086 connecting Blackhall with Horden we argued that because of a number of factors including road layout, frequent pedestrian use and surrounding high trees and hedges such measures would represent an unacceptable level of risk to walkers and motorists alike.
We are grateful that the council has listened to our concerns and have confirmed to us that street lighting along this stretch of road will not now be removed.
Our objections to the proposed removal of street lighting along other stretches of highway between our villages have been published elsewhere on this site.
When compared to other parts of the county we have enjoyed a considerable measure of success in a number of cases, but unfortunately in others we have not been able to persuade the council of our position.
