Council confusion leaves neighbours in the dark

DOREEN AND JUDITH HAVE BEEN BATTLING FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

Doreen Buchanan, 90, left, and Judith Raggett, 79, alongside a faulty street light in Blackrod Close, Toton

(JOSEPH RAYNOR)

OLDER residents on a quiet cul-de-sac fear they have been “left behind” as their years-long battle for a working street light continues.

Neighbours on Blackrod Close in Toton have been fighting for more than five years to get the broken lamppost outside their homes fixed.

Doreen Buchanan and Judith Raggett have spent countless hours calling everyone they could think of to get the matter resolved, but to no avail.

Doreen, 90, and and Judith, 79, have had to use torches when leaving and arriving in the dark, because they are unable to see due to the lack of light.

They also keep the house lights on when they go out, so they can see the path when they return.

The problem has left the neighbours “frightened” to go outside - even just to take out the bins - when it gets dark.

“My son has to walk me to my door every time I go out because it’s pitch black here past 4pm,’ says Doreen, who moved to the close 17 years ago after her husband died.