RESIDENTS were lit up in time for Christmas – thanks to the Pioneer.
Neighbours in Wellesley Walk, Ellesmere Port, many of them elderly, were left in the dark after a street light was installed but never switched on.
The lamp was erected after months of negotiations between Cheshire County Council, ScottishPower and community leader Maurice Brookes – well after the clocks went back and the dark nights had started.
But on top of not connecting it up, contractors left holes in the pavement which two residents – one in a wheelchair – fell down. They were not seriously hurt.
Maurice Brookes told us: “I’ve been trying to get a lamp-post fitted in Wellesley Walk for a long time. We wanted to have it lit to make the road safe at night.
“After a lot of deliberations with the authorities, we were promised it would be fitted before the dark nights started.
“Two weeks after all the clocks went back, we got it fitted. The workmen dug some holes and put the post in.
“But for the last month they have left big gaping holes in the road and path.
“Elderly people were having difficulty getting past, especially those in wheelchairs. One person went past in their chair and got stuck down the hole. They didn’t fall in but their wheel was stuck.
“Some girl fell down the hole late one night, too.”
On the Thursday before Christmas the Pioneer contacted the county council, which apologised for the delay.
A spokeswoman said: “ScottishPower have powered up the terminal but the delay is due to our contractor. We are going to sort it.”
And less than 24 hours later county workmen had been out to Wellesley Walk and switched on the lamp.
Mr Brookes said: “They came first thing and also filled in the holes so no-one can fall down them.
“Well done to the Pioneer for getting this sorted. A good job done. Thank you.”
