Controversial new street lighting is plunging Perth and Kinross “back into the Dark Ages”, it has been claimed.
There have been a “barrage” of complaints from furious residents who insist cost-cutting measures are leaving streets so dark children are scared to walk home after dusk.
Perth and Kinross Council, which replaced old sodium lamps with the new light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, has admitted some areas would “benefit from the lighting levels being increased”.
Mike Rogalski, 67, of Feus Road in Perth, demanded action, describing levels of lighting as “just crazy”.
He also believes the “poor” lighting may have contributed to a recent accident in the area.
“I have witnessed it myself there was an accident here over the weekend,” he said. “It’s like darkness at that time of night in Feus Road (between 8pm and 9pm) and vehicles can’t see pedestrians or other cars until the very last minute.
“Normally when things get upgraded they get better but this is just crazy, as these new lights have what looks like three watt bulbs.”
Mr Rogalski continued: “We have had this move foisted upon us without any public consultation.”
His views are echoed by fellow Feus Road resident Roger Scott.
“It’s more noticeable when you turn off main roads such as Crieff Road in to Feus Road, and you only see a couple of lights,” Mr Scott told The Courier.
“It reminds me of when I was a wee boy in the 1950s and we had the gas lights.”
Councillor Alexander Stewart, who is one of the representatives for the Perth South ward, said he has received a “barrage” of complaints from constituents regarding the new street lighting.
He claims the new lights have caused “fear and alarm”.
“The project has caused considerable controversy as the focus of the light beam does not light up the surrounding area,” he said.
“Residents now believe that these streets are so poorly lit that it is no longer a safe environment.
“A number of drivers have indicated that pedestrians wearing dark clothing are virtually impossible to see until the last moment and there are also fears for residents walking home late at night especially vulnerable young women.
“There are also concerns for schoolchildren when they are on their way to and from school in the winter months.
“In addition, there are also concerns that incidents of domestic house-breaking could rise in these poorly lit areas.”
Mr Stewart claimed the move to introduce the new lights is “partly a cost-cutting exercise” by the council, due to legislation to tackle energy conservation and light pollution.
“I firmly believe that there is a considerable risk to themselves and others due to the lack of visibility for both drivers and pedestrians,” he added.
“Hopefully a compromise can be found which will satisfy both financial and safety criteria.”
The lighting issue was also raised at a meeting of Milnathort Community Council, where it was claimed that some children were “scared to go home” along certain routes at night.
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “We are aware of concerns from some members of the public regarding the new street lighting and the level of light emitted from them.
“We can confirm that the new lighting complies with the relevant code of practice for the design of road lighting.
“However, even though the new lighting meets the code, we believe that some areas would benefit from the lighting levels being increased.”