New street lighting in Mid Sussex branded ‘inadequate’

What do you think of the county council’s new lighting being installed across Mid Sussex?
Feliks Kwiatkowski is complaining about the level of light emission from street lights. Pic Steve Robards SUS-140804-110628001Feliks Kwiatkowski is complaining about the level of light emission from street lights. Pic Steve Robards SUS-140804-110628001
Feliks Kwiatkowski is complaining about the level of light emission from street lights. Pic Steve Robards SUS-140804-110628001

“The new lights individually emit much less light than the old lights, and that is a matter of cold, observable fact,” believes one Haywards Heath resident who is complaining about the new lanterns.

During an email exchange with his local councillor, Feliks Kwiatkowski, a 59-year-old lawyer from Harlands Close, wrote: “I repeat my suggestion that you should drop by after dark and see for yourself - not, of course, that you will be able to - which was rather the point.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Yours sincerely, wondering what the blazes I am getting exactly for my band E council tax.”

Mr Kwiatkowski had originally written to the lighting contractor SSE, stating: “I am aghast at the results of your work in Harlands Close.

“You replaced all the streetlights with inferior installations, which appear to emit one half to one quarter of the light of the previous installations.

“This was done without any notice to, or consultation with, the residents.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Close is now manifestly less safe at night - the darkness invites crime, and impairs traffic safety.

“The lighting is inadequate and ought to be upgraded.”

Taking up the issue with the Middy, the lawyer added: “The council should at the very least have consulted us.””

Mr Kwiatkowski claims a letter explaining when and why the works were due to take place only arrived after the new lights had been installed.

The Middy visited www.lightsoninwestsussex.co.uk to establish what works were scheduled for Haywards Heath only to discover the town is not listed under the Your Area search facility.

“You couldn’t make it up!” exclaimed Mr Kwiaktowski.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The county council embarked on replacing 50,000 ‘outdated’ street lights in 8500 roads in 2010, a project due to finish in 2015.

It is hoped it will reduce the energy bill by 25 per cent.

Cllr Pete Bradbury said: “We’re all having to change our approach to lighting as part of the climate change agenda and the council is no different.

He continued:“As we know from our own homes, different lighting does take a bit of getting used to, but it’s important we make as big a commitment to the green agenda as we can.”