Elderly residents on a quiet street in Llanidloes say they have been left with no street lighting for months

People living on Lon Glandwr are frustrated after being left in the dark by electricity providers Scottish Power for at least 16 weeks. They say they are worried for their vulnerable neighbours – who are in their 80s and 90s – and that it is a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

“Surely we shouldn’t wait for them to get fixed before someone gets hurt?” a 74-year-old resident said.

“It isn’t right, it’s terribly dark and dangerous.”

“It’s been like this for at least 16 weeks. We’ve rang the number on the poles and they say ‘we’ll be there next week’ but they still haven’t come. They’ve been totally useless.”

The frustrated residents have considered starting a petition to get the lights working again and have voiced their concerns with local County Councillor Gareth Morgan.

Cllr Morgan said: “I’ve complained and complained but still nothing. Scottish Power are diabolical. There are carers going around to look after elderly residents three or four times a day, it’s so important that they don’t fall or slip”.

“Scottish Power have failed to meet their obligations. They’ve been unreasonable.”

A Scottish Power spokeswoman said the lights were fixed on November 9 after replacing the fuse in the sub-station. She added that the street lights will be checked again, but that they had not received any complaints since November 9.

Powys County Council said it raised the issue with Scottish Power a few weeks ago and they were informed that the power supply had returned. A new ‘no supply’ notice has been issued and the council is chasing the issue as “a matter of urgency”. He added that the street light infrastructure on Lon Glandwr is not faulty, but its due to a power supply issue by Scottish Power.

Care specialists Abacare said: “Our carers have raised the issue and we will be making inquiries with the council. We don’t want anyone to get hurt for the sake of a light not being switched on.”