Campaigners seeking more support in Shropshire street lights row
Campaigners behind a petition calling for street lights across Shropshire to be switched back on after midnight have pledged to up the ante in order to get more support.
More than 550 people have signed a petition launched by residents of Market Drayton two weeks ago.
They are calling on Shropshire Council to reverse a policy which has so far seen thousands of street lights switched off between midnight and 5.30am across the county in order to save money.
They say they would like the lights switched back on to help deter criminals and make people feel safer in their homes.
Sian Rushton and Mike Smith, who launched the petition, want the council to extinguish every other lamp in every street, rather than create a total blackout in areas.
Mrs Rushton said: "We are pleased with how many signatures we have got but we need more – the more the merrier.
"It would be nice to get 1,000 in a month.
"I need to up the ante and hope to get out and about in the coming days and nights to get more people to sign the petition.
"We hope to get copies of the hand written petition and put them in the shops in the town to make it easier for people to sign.
"It is important for people to understand the petition is for everyone in Shropshire to sign, not just Market Drayton.
"We believe a petition has been set-up in Whitchurch and would urge those responsible to contact us to see if we can work together."
Commenting on the online petition, one person who did not wish to give their name, said: "Having the main road through Market Drayton in pitch black darkness in places is totally unacceptable.
"It is the council's responsibility to provide a safe and well lit environment for its residents who pay for this facility."
Councillor Tim Beckett, mayor of Market Drayton, said the town council will approach Shropshire Council to try and resolve this issue.
He said he is urging as many people as possible to support the petition.
Shropshire Council operates 18,300 street lights around the county and had identified more than 6,000 as being "crucial to public safety", which will remain in constant operation.
It plans to switch about 12,500 of the county's street lights to part night lighting by next year.
Shropshire Council was unavailable to comment today.
But previously, Councillor Claire Wild, cabinet member for highways and transport, said a huge amount of work took place to ensure that the areas included in the programme were suitable.
To sign the petition visit www.market-drayton.com/petition
Alternatively, call 07534 507532 or 07989 700006
