New lights in Waterford installed ‘months ago’ and still not switched on

Cllr David Daniels spoke on the subject at the July plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council

There are a number of streetlights in Waterford that were installed “months ago” and have still not been switched on, a council meeting has heard.

Independent councillor David Daniels spoke on the subject at the July plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.

Cllr Daniels said: “I hate to say it, but we’ll be heading back into the winter soon and we’re after putting in the investment and time to get lights up.

“They’ve been put up months ago but they’re still not switched on. In my understanding, through no fault of the council.

“The council put forward the resources, the expenditure and the time to actually get the lights up but there seems to be a delay with the ESB.

“Can I ask if you can put the pressure on the ESB to find out why there is such a delay in switching on lights that we incur the costs and the time to put the infrastructure in and they're not switched on?”

He went on to outline the frustrations of local residents who are waiting for the lights to be switched on.

“We’re heading into August now, we’ve gone past the longest day, the nights will be starting to close in and the estates where these lights are will be dark.

“It’s very unfair to the residents and unfair to the council and unfair to us because I think we’re taking unnecessary criticism for the work we have done and we’re waiting on the ESB.

“So, can we put the pressure on the ESB to treat as a priority all the lights that we have fixed and get them switched on?”

In response to Cllr Daniels, Director of Services Gabriel Hynes said that the council is in “continuous contact” with the ESB.

Mr Hynes said: “In relation to our public lights, there is a period of time before ESB Networks can get on site to provide connections for public lighting.

“We are in continuous contact with them and they are aware of our priorities but they are under considerable pressure to deliver [...].”

He concluded by saying that the points made by Cllr Daniels would be taken on board and communicated to the ESB.