EDF Energy putting lives at risk

2.58.51pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Apr 2008

Cllr Royden, pictured under the inoperative street lights by the shops on Brickhill Drive, has reported EDF Energy to Energywatch over their failure to provide a satisfactory repair service

Liberal Democrat Borough Councillor Charles Royden has reported electricity company EDF to Energywatch for failing to provide a satisfactory service to residents in Brickhill.

Cllr Royden, the Liberal Democrat Councillor for Brickhill Ward, said:

"I have spent months asking for essential repairs to street lighting in Brickhill and the service from EDF is woeful.'

The reason why so many lights are not working on our streets in Bedford is because the electricity supply company EDF will not make repairs to the supply. People need to know that the blame for these delays rests not on the Borough or County Council but squarely on the shoulders of EDF for failing to provide a satisfactory repair service.

People in Brickhill have been suffering from a variety of delays in repairs to roads, pavements and infrastructure due to the delay which is being caused by EDF. Street lights 35 and 36 in Brickhill Drive outside the shops have been inoperative now for six months and this close to a bus stop and a busy junction by Linnet Way. Roads are being left in a state of partial repair because of the failure of EDF to provide cabling.

Cllr Royden added:

"Proper maintenance of our street lighting is an important safety issue and it is not acceptable for an electricity supplier to behave in a manner which pays such scant regard to the safety of our community and puts lives at risk. If this company will not behave in a responsible manner then we must hold them to account and make them put safety first."