Devon town left in darkness for weeks

Locals are extremely concerned about their safety

Residents of Ilfracombe are expressing serious concerns over safety as streetlights remain out of service for over five weeks, leaving major parts of the town in total darkness.

The issue, which affects multiple streets including Slade, Springfield Road, and Oxford Grove, is particularly alarming for women walking home at night, with residents reporting increased fears of assault and accidents due to the pitch-black conditions.

Terry Elliot, a resident of Highfield Road and a member of the Ilfracombe Town Council, has been at the forefront of raising the alarm: "The streetlights have been out for over five weeks now. We've got no street lights at all,” she said.

Cllr Elliot explained that the problem has been reported to Devon County Council, but the responsibility has been passed to the National Grid, which is not expected to take action until October.

"It’s a National Grid problem," she added. "They’re out in Slade, they’re out in Springfield Road, and they’re in Oxford Grove. As a woman walking home at night, it’s pretty scary. You cannot see your hand in front of your face."

Residents like Sue Martin, 66, who frequently walks home in the affected areas, describe the situation as not only frightening but dangerous.

"I go to the cinema regularly and I have to come up Springfield Road and then down Highfield Road. I have to have my little torch lights on to see where I’m walking," she said. "But it’s very dangerous. You don’t know who’s lurking in the bushes, and obviously dog poo is a concern as well on the path. But the main concern is safety for women at night."

Cllr Elliot also raised concerns about recent crimes in the area, saying fears were heightened after reports of sexual assaults in Slade.

"The police are aware of this as well. They have concerns," she said. "I’ve got two daughters who work in the nighttime economy, and they get off the bus and walk up here, and it’s absolutely pitch black. You literally couldn’t see anything."

The situation is leading to widespread unease, with many residents avoiding going out after dark altogether.

"There are some friends of mine who won’t go out at night when it’s dark and there’s no street lights around," said Ms Martin.

Cllr Elliot echoed this, sharing his own experience of heightened fear while walking home. "I got out [of my car], it’s pitch blackness, and I could feel someone behind me, but you literally couldn’t see anything."

The lack of visibility is also creating physical hazards, especially on bin nights when obstructions become invisible.

"There are trip hazards as well and you don’t know what you may bang into. Public safety and women’s safety should be a priority," said Cllr Elliot, calling for immediate action from the National Grid. "We need more urgent action on this. It’s just not good enough."

A Devon County Council spokesperson said: “Our engineers have investigated and the issue is a fault with the electrical supplies to the streetlights rather than an issue with the streetlights themselves and we are working with National Grid to get the issue resolved.”

A National Grid electricity distribution spokesman said: “Engineering teams are working urgently to fix these street lights as we appreciate how vital they are for people to be able to get around safely.

“In Belmont Road, we have carried out several excavations to locate the source of a fault. Six lights are now operating and work is continuing as quickly as possible to restore another three.

“We have also been investigating an unrelated issue affecting the lights in Oxford Grove and Springfield Road, where we have replaced fuses.

“We are working to get all these street lights back on as soon as we can and apologise for the delay so far.”

Cllr Elliott said that following correspondence between Devon Live and National Grid on September 27, the lights by ‘strange coincidence’ had lit up once again however, Highfield remained in darkness.