Anger as traffic lights aren't repaired

Ernie Gordon has hit out at Northumberland County Council for not resolving the problem at the pedestrian crossing along Bondgate Within, beside Baileys of Alnwick.

Temporary lights have been installed, but he is angry that no action has been taken to fix the permanent fittings, saying it is four months and counting.

The county council has responded by saying that it has tried to find the parts it needs to repair the lights, but these are obsolete, so a decision has been taken to install a completely new crossing, which should be in operation by the end of October.

Contacting the Gazette on Tuesday, Mr Gordon said: “This is absolutely disgraceful and is yet another example of the neglect of Alnwick. Four months have gone by and no-one seems bothered. Four months – it is a joke. This wouldn’t happen in places like Morpeth.”

Yesterday, a county-council spokeswoman said: “When the pelican crossing failed, we quickly put temporary lights in place to provide a safe route for pedestrians.

“Since that time we have been seeking parts to carry out a repair to the existing equipment. Unfortunately, due to the age of the equipment, this has not proved possible, as despite extensive inquiries, the parts are obsolete. A decision has therefore been taken to install a completely new crossing. We have been going through the process of obtaining cost estimates, ordering equipment and arranging the work and we now expect the new crossing to be installed and operational before the end of October.

“The temporary lights will remain in place to provide a safe crossing for pedestrians until this work can be carried out.”