A SECOND poorly lit footpath in a residential area in the Vale of Glamorgan has finally received lights seven years after residents complained about safety in the area.
Residents at a housing development in Dinas Powys have been without a lit footpath since the site was built several years ago.
The footpath links Llwyn Derwen with Cross Common Road and Wellwood Drive and is frequently used daily by residents.
The new lighting was installed after concerns about safety from residents, following the attack of a 14-year girl at a similar unlit footpath near Eastbrook station in November last year.
A light vigil was held following the attack, with a petition launched by Dinas Powys Plaid Cymru councillors to highlight the dangers of the unlit footpath when it becomes dark.
Following the success of the petition, councillors launched the Walk In Safer Environments campaign which prompted owners of unlit footpaths to provide suitable lighting to make them safe.
Plaid Cymru councillor for Cross Common Ward, Malcolm Phillips said: “It is incredible that this lighting column was missed out in the first place and has remained unlit for the length of time.
“When I contacted the local authority, they acted promptly discovered the problem and quickly remedied the situation.
“Our W.I.S.E. (Walk In Safer Environments) campaign was launched in the wake of the attack last year and has now seen action taken by various owners of such unlit footpaths to provide adequate lighting and therefore making them safer for users.”
The teenager was left with facial injuries following an assault on the unlit path, which prompted safety concerns from residents at the housing development of the nearby unlit footpath.
After an investigation was launched by the local authority, it was discovered that the light had never been connected to a main supply of electricity by the site developers.
But now after several years of uncertainty from residents about using the unlit path, lights on the footpath have now been lit.
Vale of Glamorgan Councillor Marianne Cowpe who also represents Plaid Cymru assisted Councillor Phillips in getting the footpath lit.
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