A street lamp in Northumberland is at the centre of a storm, as the local council have stated that it can’t be fixed using a ladder.
The street lamp- which simply has a broken bulb- has now been out of action for days, and it doesn’t look as though it’s likely to be fixed any time soon, as Northumberland County Council claim they have a lengthy waiting list.
The street lamp is situated on a dark cut through, which makes it all the more imperative that it gets fixed.
However, the council have stated that health and safety regulations dictate that ladders are not safe enough to be used, and that special scaffold towers will have to be assembled.
This had let to disbelief from many members of the public and even fellow members of the council. Councillor Steven Bridget said:
“It is ridiculous. Give me a disclaimer, show me how to do it, give me a ladder and somebody to hold it at the bottom and I will go up and change it.”
However, a spokesperson for the council insisted:
“Due to the high volume of street lighting faults reported at this time of year, there has been a delay in repairing this light in Rothbury, which is situated on a narrow footpath with a steep incline.
“Due to health and safety requirements we are unable to use ladders on such sites, so we have to erect temporary scaffolding to access the lantern.
“The scaffolding was erected to follow health and safety recommendations for our staff. The scaffolding was hired at a commercial rate.”
Never before have street lamps and ladders caused such furore, and this saga looks like it’s set to drag on and on!
