Council agrees to explore lighting options in Melksham East ward following residents’ safety concerns

TOWN councillors have agreed to look into a proposal for additional lighting in some parts of the Melksham East Ward, following a public consultation undertaken by a residents’ group.

The results of the survey, which was discussed by councillors in the town council meeting on Monday 28th November, highlighted safety concerns from residents about the limited lighting around the housing estates surrounding Forest & Sandridge school.

Councillor Louisa Lewis, who has been working on this issue and set up the Melksham East residents’ group who conducted the survey said, “We did a survey in the Melksham News about lighting in the East Ward and it came to light that there’s four main routes [that are] pedestrian pavements that aren’t lighted at all. We’ve walked round, we looked at everything and have discussed with residents and we are now at a point as to who is going to help us fund this.”

Wiltshire councillor, Mike Sankey, who has been working with cllr Louisa Lewis, was present at the meeting to support the proposal. He said, “Cllr Lewis set up the Melksham East residents’ group that has had a number of meetings. I attended those meetings with other Wiltshire councillors, members of this council, Sergeant Twyford and many others, as well as a leaflet drop inviting residents to raise their concerns. Anti-social behaviour and lighting both came up regularly in the meetings as points of concern. Residents agreed street lighting should be provided. Two respondents were against the installation of lights as they felt it would encourage anti-social behaviour. I would suggest, however, that the lighting can be PIR [sensor] activated to highlight when someone is in the area and that in itself could deter anti-social behaviour. At the planning stage of the area, Wiltshire Council felt it should retain its rural nature and not be lit. The consultation from residents shows they think differently and wish to see lights installed.”

Melksham’s East Ward housing estates, which were developed in 2009, are run by a management company, Green Square Accord, and not Melksham Town Council. This raised questions among councillors about whose responsibility it is to install and maintain lighting for the area. The Mayor, cllr SImon Crundell, confirmed that Green Square Accord would not fund the project as it hadn’t formed part of the agreement when the estates were built.

Speaking about the importance of Melksham Town Council taking action to install and maintain the lights to protect ‘their residents’ cllr Lewis said, “At end of the day, they are our residents and the majority of them are walking their children to and from school in the dark, in the winter. This place is pitch black dark. You really will not see anything at all.”

Adding to this, local resident of Melksham East Ward, Joe McCann, who has spoken to other residents about the issue, urged the council to consider the proposal. He said, “Every resident has said there is a need for more lighting. I think it will be fantastic if the council can get this over the line and actually get to the point where lights are going into the paths and lighting up Melksham East.”

Some councillors raised concern that by installing lights, the local wildlife could be affected. However, in response to this, it was suggested by cllr Lewis that solar lighting could be used to ensure the wildlife is protected. She said, “We did discuss the environmental issues, but we would work with environmental agencies to ensure everything is correct.”

Cllr Carl Houghton, echoing the broad support for the scheme from other councillors, concluded, “I am glad there is so much support for this because this is why we are here, to make life easier for the residents. The groundwork has already been put in, so it suggests it can be moved along quickly with the right people. It is good that we have got so much support here for that.”

Councillors agreed to ask officers to work with cllr Lewis, liaising with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, to investigate the proposed project in more depth, considering both environmental issues and planning constraints, before bringing a report to the full council meeting scheduled for January.

Pictured: safety concerns over the unlit paths near Forest & Sandridge School.