A LONG-RUNNING plea for better lighting on a Spalding footbridge has finally been answered.
Network Rail recently closed Steppingstone Bridge to improve the lighting after numerous calls from South Holland district ward councillor Roger Gambba-Jones.
He said better lighting was necessary on the bridge between King’s Road and Park Road to make people feel safer while crossing the bridge after dark.
Following the improvements, Coun Gambba-Jones said: “Unfortunately I’m still a bit disappointed.
“The new light is better than it was before, it’s brighter and not that old yellow sodium type light, but it still doesn’t cover the whole bridge effectively.
“As you are walking away from it you are still walking into shadow.
“So those using the bridge will still not be able to see if there is anyone lurking in the shadows, which can leave them feeling vulnerable when using it in the evening.”
But Coun Gambba-Jones says the light is of much better quality and it’s new hinged design means it can be more easily maintained, so should be kept operational at all times.
The battle over the new light is the latest victory for Coun Gambba-Jones, who went to war with Network Rail to secure a clean-up of litter blighting the bridge.
In June, just days before he prepared to take the case to court to get a litter abatement order, workmen turned up to tidy up the bridge.