New street lighting at Cemetery Street

Gone with the old, and in with the new… Cemetery Street’s lighting columns have been replaced.

Last year, Councillor Julia Silvester reported how her Liberal Democrat team was successful in getting the dismal, old lights replaced with safer, new ones.

The work has finally been carried out by the council and already residents have told us how much better they look.

Julia said: “One resident contacted me to say that not only is the quality of the light better, but this has also helped them to feel safer after dark.”

The new lighting columns are also more environmentally friendly, as part of the council’s push to cut its carbon footprint.

Our recent Focus newsletter announcing the news for Cemetery Street (click to view larger image)

More new street lighting is on its way to some of Westhoughton’s streets, the Liberal Democrat team is pleased to report.

We previously told you about a number of street where lighting is to be replaced. Now Cemetery Street, Barn Hill Terrace, the Higher Southfield are to benefit.

Westhoughton South ward councillor Julia Silvester said: “We have been working hard to get the lighting columns on as many streets as possible replaced and modernised, and we are pleased to announce another three.”

“Having said that, there are still many more to do, and the fight will continue,” she added.

The Liberal Democrat team had requested the street lighting improvements through the Westhoughton Area Forum and the plans were approved.

The old concrete columns will be replaced by steel and the “orange blob” sodium lanterns will be replaced with LED lights, which use less electricity, last many years, and will help to reduce the council’s carbon footprint, which it is required to do.

We have no details yet as to when the work will start but we will keep you up to date through our website.

Lib Dem campaigner Derek Gradwell looking at the lighting on Bamber Croft with Parliamentary Candidate, Jackie Pearcey

Several new street lighting schemes have been introduced across a number of Westhoughton’s streets.

Brand new lights have been installed on the following roads:

• Wigan Road at Hart Common
• Back Hart Street at Hart Common
• Coverdale Road
• Alma Road
• Bamber Croft

The Liberal Democrat team has been campaigning for a number of years to see widespread improvements to street lighting across the whole of Westhoughton, but financial budgets do not allow for it to happen overnight.

Westhoughton North campaigner Derek Gradwell said: “I am pleased with the progress that has been made, but more work has yet to be done and we will continue to campaign for projects to be carried out.”