'˜Deep concern' at poorly lit path to railway footbridge

Southgate residents calling for action to improve lighting on a path used by pedestrians to cross the railway line

In order to access the footbridge west of Crawley Railway Station, residents have to use a footpath off East Park.

Michael Jones, a Labour county councillor for Southgate and Crawley Central, has written to Bob Lanzer, cabinet member for highways and transport, to pass on residents’ ‘deep concern about the existing state of lighting’.

But a spokesman for West Sussex County Council confirmed it was working with its contractor on plans to install some lighting in the area, which would be subject to consultation to residents ‘in due course’.

David Threader, chairman of the Southgate Community Forum, said: “We think there’s sufficient grounds for it to be done immediately rather than putting it back. It would not break the bank to install lighting.”

He described how insufficient light was not only leaving some users of the path feeling vulnerable, but was also potentially dangerous for elderly residents stepping off the footbridge.

Mr Jones described the route as popular for pedestrians travelling to and from the town centre as an alternative to the level crossing.

He said: “Unfortunately when it is dark or approaching sunset, this alleyway often becomes very dark as the lighting arrangements are not very satisfactory. Often many of my residents, including many women, inform me that they do not feel safe and secure walking down this path after dark.”

He added: “In addition, the poor state of the road and the footpath leading to the bridge makes it easier to stumble in one of the various potholes in the alleyway, particularly in the dark when it is much more difficult to see the holes carefully.”

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