Safety fears over darkness on stretch of A47 in Lowestoft

Broken street lights have not been fixed by National Highways - despite numerous reports being raised by locals.

Now to highlight the issues a protest march of around one-and-a-half miles is set to take place in the coastal town.

Street lights around the A47 in Lowestoft which are not working. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

A group of locals said the ongoing situation had become so bad that it was now "an accident waiting to happen."

After raising concerns that the broken street lights on the A47 are continuing to pose what they say is "imminent danger," and with no repairs having been carried out, they said "enough is enough."

The 'Lighten our Darkness' poster promoting the march. Picture: Graham Parker (Image: Graham Parker)

The fed-up neighbours have decided to band together and organise a "lighten our darkness" protest march along the affected areas. 

Living in roads nearby, the concerned locals - who have been experiencing problems for what they say is more than two years - will march from the Triangle Market area to Hollingsworth Road in Lowestoft from 8pm on Wednesday, April 17 and shine torches next to the broken street lamps.

Graham Parker and Wendy Brooks on a section of the A47 in Lowestoft affected by street light outages. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Graham Parker, who lives on Yarmouth Road - close to where lights have been out for three months - said: "We are taking action because the residents and the users of the A47 have had enough of living in darkness.

A section of the A47 in Lowestoft affected by street light outages. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"Over two years of darkness on the A47 within the Lowestoft area - it is time for users to take action and demonstrate to National Highways enough is enough.

"Councillors, residents and our MP Peter Aldous have all written to National Highways on numerous occasions.

Graham Parker and Wendy Brooks on a section of the A47 in Lowestoft affected by street light outages. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"The broken lights on the A47 is a safety risk for motorists, cyclists and residents and therefore we ask Highways to take this matter seriously before there is a serious accident.

"We have had enough of living in darkness and we want our street lights back on."

A section of the A47 in Lowestoft in darkness. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The group said the broken street lights on the A47 "pose imminent danger to all road users, pedestrians and cyclists."

Concerns had been raised with Highways in late 2021 with regards to broken lights at the east end of St Peter's Street, by the roundabout with the A47.

A lamp standard on a section of the A47 in Lowestoft missing the lamps from its top. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With lighting outages on Jubilee Way later reported, Wendy Brooks, from Lowestoft, said she first wrote to National Highways in September 2022, with Waveney MP Peter Aldous also contacting them.

She said: "We were told then we were on the list and it is to do with the LED bulbs that needed upgrading.

Graham Parker and Wendy Brooks on a section of the A47 in Lowestoft where broken street lights have left the area in darkness. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"So in 2023 it didn't happen, then we were told it might be something else - but nothing."

Despite further emails and correspondence being sent and further reports of lights being out, the group claims to have not heard any more - and now, with lamps still broken "the situation is an accident waiting to happen".

A section of the A47 in Lowestoft where broken street lights have left the area in darkness. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

They claim to have gone through various official channels to National Highways over "many months" but nothing has been done.

Ms Brooks said: "We contacted them again, other residents contacted them, and lots of people have said to us how dangerous it is for them because they go from brightness to darkness.

"We have people who go out very early in the morning with their dogs and they can't see - it is dangerous.

Graham Parker and Wendy Brooks on a section of the A47 in Lowestoft where broken street lights have left the area in darkness. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"Highways have known this now for two years - it is a safety issue and they have not addressed it."

A woman living nearby added: "The danger still exists and National Highways have gone silent."

Another added: "When will National Highways act?

"The situation is an accident waiting to happen and one tragedy would be one too many."

National Highways have been approached for comment.