Barriers placed around lamp posts in Wisbech are an accident waiting to happen according to a guest house owner who is among scores of people on social media sites who are worried about the problem.
The barriers have been put up in 12 streets in the town as part of a major plan to upgrade street lighting to make it more energy efficient
However, some have been put across thin pathways meaning pushchairs and wheelchairs cannot get past.
Others have not been secured properly so they either fall down, are blown down by high winds or are knocked down by children or passing drunks, according to commentators on Wisbech Shape Your Place and the Wisbech Free Discussion page on Facebook.
Liz Mcmanus, who runs Al Gethi Guesthouse in Lynn Road, said; “Balfour Beatty are doing the work and when I contacted them they said they had fixed them, but this morning the barriers are all fallen over in Lynn Road. The same in Norwich Road.
“It is very dangerous. They just stood them back up and didn’t secure them. There is an exposed hole in one case I know of. It is an accident waiting to happen.”
The lamp posts which are being replaced are in Norwich Road, Colville Road, Clarence Road, Clarkson Avenue, Enterprise Way, Onyx Court, Howletts Hill, Blackfriars Road, East Street, East place, Lynn Road and Freedom Bridge.
Some of the old lamp posts are still in place despite the new ones being put in and switched into service.
The work is being carried out on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council. A spokesman said they are in touch with Balfour Beatty to sort the issue.
A Balfour Beatty spokesman said: “The safety of members of the public is our number one priority. However the recent high winds caused a lot of damage, including the knocking down of a number of barriers around street lamps.
“We sent teams out to reset the barriers on Friday and again over the weekend. We are always grateful to members of the public for alerting us to any damage, whether caused by weather, traffic or vandals, and we will do our very best to reinstate the proper safety provisions.
“Subject to weather conditions, the street lamp works in the area are due to be complete during the week commencing September 1.”
•Have you experienced problems with the barriers in Wisbech? Have you had problems with any other work carried out around town? Email us kath.sansom@archant.co.uk
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