Labour-run Bolton Council are dimming your street lights

Councillor Deirdre McGeown on the walkway from Mill Street to Southfield Drive

Residents are angry that Labour-run Bolton Council is planning to dim street lights across Westhoughton.

Westhoughton North and Hunger Hill councillor Deirdre McGeown has urged council bosses to think again after residents expressed safety concerns following several assaults after dark, including on October 7 on the walkway between Southfield Drive and Mill Street in which a woman was attacked.

Deirdre said: “We are all aware that there have been several assaults on vulnerable people including women on footpaths after dark.

“In many of these footpaths, the street lighting is perceived to be below an acceptable standard, either because of the policy of dimming lights or because of other factors such as inadequate installations or overgrown trees.

“We need to examine the lighting levels in many locations and make any necessary improvements.”

Bolton Council bosses have responded, saying they will not dim lights where there are “specific community safety issues”.

But Deirdre added: “This will be little comfort to residents who are telling me that they already don’t feel very safe going about their business after dark.”