Reader's Letter: Street lighting debacle

Hi Sheila

Can you please let me know what road this is on, so I can investigate why this has been left?

Many thanks

Cllr Mark Goldsmith (Resident of Wilmslow)
Wilmslow West & Chorley

Hi Mark, it is Oak Lea Avenue.

Thanks Lisa

I have reported the issue, so will update you as soon as I get an answer.

Hopefully, we can get this eyesore soon removed and understand why it was taken out when the new one was installed.

Do any other residents have a similar problem?

The lamppost outside my house as been left like this for over a year now I did report it at the time and I am still waiting. The whole estate as been left like this. They didn't even cut them down now got 2 lampposts together side by side looks ridiculous.

If it's been subcontracted you will probably find it came down to who approved the contract details and cost. Someone not doing their job properly and only reading bottom lines.
If CEC did it then it's down to supervision/management - they'll have all had hivis clothing, hand hats and red/white barriers and temporary traffic lights everywhere but no sense of doing a 'proper job'. If anyone notices/complains, Come back later and waste more money (just like the A555 project was [not] run)

Hi Michelle

What road is this?

CEC do not do any Highways work themselves, it is contracted out to Ringway Jacobs who, in turn, use subcontractors. The fact that it says “Cheshire East Highways” on the vehicles is meaningless. Another shambolic operation, just like the lack of road markings across the borough.

Folks, apologies for the delay in commenting (just back from a week's holiday on which I decided to go unplugged and not to take any technology at all including my phone).

Below is the response from a member enquiry I submitted at the back end of May (I noticed the stumps when leafletting during the election and it was one of the first things I did when elected).

"Thank you for your enquiry. The lighting in Oak Lea Avenue has been removed due to the age and condition of the old columns. Although we are able to remove the columns (and install new) in most locations in the borough there are unfortunately certain areas where the underground cable network is of a type that we are unable to work on. In these instances the works must be undertaken by the regional electricity company. Oak Lea Avenue is one of these locations.

The order for the works currently sits with the electric company and is scheduled for completion in June 2019. As soon as they complete their works we will be attending site to remove what remains of the columns stumps."

So, on 28th June I went to have a look as the work was supposed to be done in June and there were workmen there so i stopped for a word. They were just tarmaccing and the electrics had not been done.

I raised it with highways officers at a meeting that I had on a different matter later that morning and commented on the ridiculous situation that they were tarmaccing for it only to be dug up again but went on holiday the next day so did not have chance to follow up. Have chased this morning. Will keep you posted (excuse the pun).

Cheers

Dave
CEC Cllr for Wilmslow East

I have recently moved but used to live off Styal road. Anyone who lives on Styal road will know that it is repeatedly dug up by different agencies in no seemingly controlled or managed way. The big ‘dig’ in 2017 was to lay new electricity cabling for Wilmslow but the disturbance to the road and to road users feels like a monthly event. I know this is a widespread problem, but Styal road seems to be particularly badly affected.

They have done it again! This morning they tarmacced in the last old stub next to new light. (see photo above)

Why? Official complaint to Cheshire East back in April. Sub contractors have now done this with 3 replaced lights. Waste of time, men, money and materials.