LED lights keeping people in the dark in Ballybofey-Stranorlar claims local councillor

Public lighting, or rather the lack of it is causing problems in the Ballybofey-Stranorlar area.

The problem was highlighted by Cllr Patrick McGowan at the recent Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District meeting.

He said he was being approached by a number of people in the Ballybofey-Stranorlar area who were unhappy with the new lights.

"People are saying because the lights are so high up and the LED lights seem to focus down on one space, it creates a lot of dark areas between each light. They are also concerned that the lights appear to be on one side of the road as you come up to the towns from St Joseph's Community Hospital.

He pointed out that the road contained five housing estates, the hospital and the local fire station as well as a number of one-off houses.

"People who walk there at night say the lights are on one side of the road and are like spotlights down onto the footpath You are walking out of a very bright light and then going into complete darkness. The footpaths in this area are not great. It's the same in the middle of the town.

"If one light goes out in Ballybofey you have 100 metres of darkness because it's poorly lit and the lights are so far apart.

Cllr McGowan asked if it was possible to get some independent survey done to see if they could address these concerns.

Council engineer, Claire McGeever said she would raise this matter again with the council's street lighting section, particularly the issues raised about the dark spots and lights being on one side of the road.

"We will see what they come back to us with and I will keep members updated on it," she said.