A Welling man fears for his wife’s safety after street lights in selected Bexley roads continue to be switched off at midnight.
Bexley Council made a decision to cut costs by choosing certain roads that would see street lights turned off between midnight and 5.30am from October 12.
LIGHTS OUT - Larissa Turkina after the street lights are turned off
Harry Denford, 47, of Lynmere Road, is one of many residents affected by the decision and his wife Larissa Turkina, on most nights, has to walk home from work in darkness.
He said: “The streets become pitch black and an entire part of Welling is switched off every night.
“It’s extremely dangerous for residents – I wonder if a woman from Bexley Council would do that walk and still want to keep the lights off?
“The council is doing this as an experiment to save money but the problem is that they’re affecting 4000 houses in the process.
“It’s getting really scary and even the police must be against this money-saving scheme.
“The only lighting in the streets after midnight comes from people who are still awake in their homes and haven’t drawn their curtains.”
A picture of Mrs Turkina - taken at 11.50pm
Mr Denford confirmed that Larissa has to walk through Northdown Road and then turn into Kenmere Road to reach their house – all in pitch black darkness.
He claims the longest residential road from Welling station is a mile away.
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The artistic director of New Cross’ London Theatre added: “Late at night, people are coming back from pubs and work and it’s not safe.
“The lights are turned back on at around 5.30am – couldn’t the council at least leave the lights on for a little more time past midnight?
“My wife is in fear of being attacked.
“These dark streets will help aid criminals - if I wanted to I could dress in black clothes and no one would see me.
“I’m a big 16 stone man and even I wouldn’t like to do that walk from the station to my house.”
A Bexley Council spokesman said: “The council is looking at various options to reduce the cost of street lighting.
“A small pilot to establish the feasibility of part night lighting is currently being trialled.
“Residents in the pilot area, which includes Lynmere Road, were sent a letter in advance advising them of the pilot and asking for their comments.
“We are monitoring the pilot and will listen to feedback before making a final decision.”
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