Dad wins his campaign for nursery lights
15/1/13- Craig Weeks with son Robert, from Bexhill.
ONE dad’s single-handed campaign to have street lights put up in the vicinity of a Bexhill nursery has reaped rewards as local authorities conceded to his demands.
Craig Weeks had expressed concerns about the lack of light and poor visibility around the temporary premises of what was originally the Bexhill High School nursery, on London Road.
The nursery is now situated in the old High School dining room building, behind King Offa in a wooded fenced off area which has limited access and, during dark winter evenings, almost zero visibility.
Mr Weeks’ five year old son, Robert, attends the nursery’s breakfast and after-school clubs, and he felt the lack of adequate lighting was putting not only his son but other children and their carers at risk.
Mr Weeks, who had the backing of many other parents whose children attend the nursery, appealed to local authorities to urgently rectify the problem with temporary lighting until such time as the new permanent building proposed at the King Offa Academy - which has yet to be approved - is built, but claimed his suggestions “fell on deaf ears.”
However, since telling his story to the Bexhill Observer two weeks ago (January 18) there has been a significant turn of events.
In response to letter from local MP, Greg Barker - in which he expressed concerns on the subject - Rother District Council Leader and East Sussex County Council Lead Member for Transport and Environment, Carl Maynard, said: “We discussed the provision of lighting with colleagues in Property and Children’s Services and they agreed to investigate the possibility of installing a number of permanent street lights along two paths leading to the nursery.
“This will take a number of weeks to complete so they are also exploring the possibility of two temporary lighting masts to provide some immediate improvement.”
In addition to the lights Cllr Maynard said an area of footpath adjacent to the nursery will also be repaired. On hearing the news Mr Barker said he was “delighted to see that this matter is in hand.”
Mr Weeks said he was pleased that the concerns he raised on behalf of many were eventually taken seriously, even though he felt there was a slight sting in the tail.
Mr Weeks said: “I have informed the nursery and the other parents at the nursery who are delighted that the councils have finally listened to our concerns.
“Although I am delighted with the outcome, I am also concerned that I have had to email local councillors, our MP, and ask the Bexhill Observer to cover this story before the local council would look into the matter.
“Had I not done this I am sure there would still be nothing being done.
“So thank you to MP Gregory Barker, Councillor Carl Maynard, and Lynda Turner at the Bexhill Observer for all their help”.
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
