LIGHT levels in two streets in a town are at ‘dangerous’ levels’ and could leave residents ‘vulnerable to crime’, a councillor has warned.

Cllr Mark Payne, leader of the newly formed Burnley and Padiham Independent Party, has urged Lancashire County Council to act on the low levels of light in Dugdale Road and Montgomery Grove in Burnley.

Cllr Payne wrote a letter to the county council and complained the street lights were not illuminating the road efficiently and had received complaints from residents.

Cllr Payne said: “The level of street lighting on these roads are extremely dangerous.

“The road is, in places, pitch black, no one can see anything.

“There is a danger of residents slipping and injuring themselves and because its so dark, many are worried they could become victims of crime.

“There are lamps that appear to be new but they are not working.

“Some areas have no lamps, some have paths which are lit and others are left in complete darkness.

“The level of street lighting is shocking so we have acted on behalf of residents and contacted Lancashire County Council.”

Within a county council document a spokesman said there are approximately 147,900 street lights with a mix of sodium and LED lighting.

Several residents in Acorn Avenue and Lord Street in Oswaldtwistle had complained earlier this year about being left in a ‘blackout zone’ following changes to LED lighting.

Concerns have also been raised claiming the elderly would be negatively affected.

Andy Chappell, operations manager at Lancashire County Council, said: “We carried out improvements to the street lighting on Dugdale Road and Montgomery Road three years ago, introducing new LED lights, as well as replacing some lighting columns and improving the spacing between columns for better light coverage.

“We were not aware of these concerns but will inspect the situation to ensure that the correct lighting standards are being achieved.”