Recurring concern

Inadequate and unreliable public-road street lighting

First to latest report 24 Feb 2014 — 1 Dec 2025

Reports that mention this concern
34
Times this concern has been raised
38
Stated actions linked to this concern
28

What this concern includes

Includes deficiencies in the provision, functioning, inspection, maintenance, repair or unobstructed performance of street lighting serving public roads, crossings, junctions, bus stops or comparable roadside pedestrian areas.

What is not included
  • Excludes warning signs, traffic signs, crossings, barriers, speed limits and other road-safety controls unless the assertion specifically concerns street-lighting performance.
  • Excludes lighting systems unrelated to public roads, such as prison, residential, workplace or fire-detection lighting.
  • Excludes generic visibility, road-design or environmental hazards that do not identify a deficiency in the street-lighting system.

Reports and published responses 34 reports

See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response

  1. Derby and Derbyshire

    AI-generated summary

    ADITYA PURI · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    ADITYA PURI was killed on 23 February 2017 after losing control of his vehicle on the eastbound A50 and colliding with a stationary lorry. The principal concern was that the stretch of the A50 lacked street lighting, with the report noting four additional fatal road traffic collisions there between 2017 and 2018.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Absence of street lighting on the A50

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) The A50 in question does not have street lighting. Street lighting in this area would be beneficial to prevent future deaths occurring. ”

    Source location

    ADITYA PURI · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    The identified accident types would not conclusively be prevented by introducing street lighting, so lighting would not appropriately address these incidents.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The types of accidents occurring during the hours of darkness did not fall into the above three categories. Two of the fatal accidents involved pedestrians, however the A50 has no pedestrian facilities and drivers should not be expecting to see pedestrians in the carriageway. It was only due to other incidents or driver behaviours that the pedestrians were in the carriageway and therefore the introduction of street lighting would not be appropriate to address these incidents.”

    Source location

    Response from Highways England
    Page 4 · response
    Published 25 October 2018

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Night-time carriageway visibility was adequate, and existing lining and reflective road studs were in good condition.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The next step would be to increase the definition of the carriageway using lining/reflective road studs and/or any other engineering measures specific to the location. Only once all other engineering measures had been introduced or discounted would new street lighting be considered.”

    Source location

    Response from Highways England
    Page 3 · response
    Published 25 October 2018

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    The accident patterns identified no highway improvements that could be introduced to prevent future deaths at this location.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Conclusion”

    Source location

    Response from Highways England
    Page 4 · response
    Published 25 October 2018

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Implementation of improvement projects, including any feasibility-study outcome, depends on funding being made available through the value management process.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The outcome of the investigations and analysis identified at (a) to (d) above, may require a feasibility study to establish if there are options for changes to the assets (such as lighting) on the A50 Junction 3 to Junction 4 to improve safety. If so, the feasibility study will commence at the beginning of April 2019.”

    Source location

    Response from Highways England
    Page 5 · response
    Published 25 October 2018

    Open published response

  2. South Yorkshire (Western)

    AI-generated summary

    Mr Sean Craig Salvin · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Sean Craig Salvin died on 30 December 2015 from severe injuries sustained when his car left a heavily flooded road at Woolley Wood Bottom, Sheffield. The report identified concerns about failures by authorities to collect, share and collate information about incidents and flooding, as well as concerns about risk assessment and the identification of the location's increasing risk.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to maintain tree trimming sufficient to preserve road lighting

    Wider context from the report

    “g) Witnesses reported the street lighting as ‘adequate’ and a site inspection did not suggest otherwise. However, the growth of trees and the development of leaves in Spring and Summer will inevitably reduce the lighting available on the road unless proper (and probably substantial) trimming takes place. The court was told that this is a recognised and regular maintenance issue but a concern would arise if this was reduced for any reason such as future budgetary constraints. ”

    Source location

    Mr Sean Craig Salvin · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

  3. Mid Kent and Medway

    AI-generated summary

    Luke Mumford · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Luke Mumford died at the scene after his car left Pilgrim's Way, struck a tree and came to rest in a field on 23 November 2016. The report raised concern that the road was unsafe to drive on at the 70 mph speed limit because it was narrow, unlit and bordered by hedgerows and trees.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of road lighting at night

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) The nature of the road is such that it is unsafe to drive at 70 mph in that i) The carriageway is very narrow ii) The road is unlit at night iii) The road is not bordered by any kerb or pavement but rather hedgerows and trees iv) At Inquest the evidence of a Police Pursuit Driver and Accident Collision Investigator was that they had felt unsafe traversing the road above 50 mph. ”

    Source location

    Luke Mumford · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Programme a scheme to reduce the road’s speed limit to 50 mph.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The road is narrow and unlit and is bordered by hedgerows and trees. In its context as a ‘de-restricted’ dual carriageway the speed limit is 70mph, however it should be noted that the speed limit is the absolute maximum speed – it doesn’t mean it is safe to drive at this speed in all conditions. Notwithstanding this, in response to the incident and the very clear coroner recommendation, Kent County Council will be programming a scheme to reduce the speed limit of the road to 50mph.”

    Source location

    2017-0047-Response-by-Kent-County-Council
    Page 1 · response
    Published 5 March 2017

    Open published response

  4. Newcastle upon Tyne

    AI-generated summary

    Steven Nicholson · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Steven Nicholson was driving on the A1018 entry slip road in poor visibility when his vehicle struck a large area of standing water, causing him to lose control and sustain fatal head injuries. The substantive concerns were the absence of appropriate lighting and warning signs about flooding on the slip road.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of appropriate lighting on the A1018 slip road

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) The absence of appropriate lighting on the A1018 slip road, to assist motorists in identifying and reacting to sudden unexpected hazards. (2) The absence of appropriate signage warning motorists of the risk of flooding on the A1018 slip road. ”

    Source location

    Steven Nicholson · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Street lighting is not considered necessary because the existing policy and alternative drainage mitigation are considered more appropriate and effective for the flooding risk.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Absence of Street Lighting The Council provides street lighting in accordance with our Street Lighting Policy which was approved by our Cabinet on 20th November 2013 following extensive public consultation. The majority of consultation responses were supportive of the updated policy. Please find link to the report:”

    Source location

    Durham-City-Council-Response
    Page 1 · response
    Published 30 March 2016

    Open published response

  5. Essex

    AI-generated summary

    Erich Roland Speilmann · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Erich Roland Speilmann was struck by a vehicle while crossing Alderston Hill, Loughton, on 28 January 2015 and died later that day in hospital. The report identified the quality of the street lighting at the location as a possible contributing concern.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Poor street lighting at the location

    Wider context from the report

    “The quality of the street lighting at the location may have contributed to the incident. ”

    Source location

    Erich Roland Speilmann · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

  6. Essex

    AI-generated summary

    Mr David John James Charles · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    On 29 November 2014, Mr David John James Charles was walking in the carriageway of Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, while under the influence of alcohol when he was struck by two cars and died from multiple injuries. The street lighting was switched off, and the report states that illumination would have improved his chance of being seen and given him a better chance of living.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Unavailability of street lighting on a road used by pedestrians

    Wider context from the report

    “It was a dark and dry night. The section of Cranes Farm Road on which Mr Charles was walking when he was struck is provided with a system of street lighting. The lighting was switched off at the time of this incident. In the case of each driver, the evidence was that they could have done nothing to avoid the collision. This was due to the lack of ambient light and lack of expectation of seeing a pedestrian in the carriageway. If the street lights had been illuminated it would have improved Mr Charles’s chance of being seen although this did not necessarily mean that either collision could have been avoided. It would, however, have given him a better chance of living. ”

    Source location

    Mr David John James Charles · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

  7. West Yorkshire (West)

    AI-generated summary

    Nicholas Gary Stocks · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Nicholas Gary Stocks was struck and fatally injured by a vehicle after a collision at the junction of Dry Hill Lane and the A635 Barnsley Road in Huddersfield on 27 September 2012. The report raised concerns about damaged and poorly maintained give-way signs and road markings, inadequate reporting and repair systems, highway inspection practices, risk assessment, and coordination between West Yorkshire Police and Kirklees Council.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Potentially inadequate street lighting at road junction approaches

    Wider context from the report

    “West Yorkshire Police (1) I am concerned with the system that was in place to ensure that matters of concern identified by Officers of West Yorkshire Police who attend the scene of Road Traffic Collision in November 2011 were not fully reported to Kirklees Council. I would ask you to review the system presently in place to ensure that all future reports are made and fully reported (2) On the afternoon of the 27th September 2012 following the earlier road traffic incident, a Police Officer identified the need for a repair to the Give Way sign which had been demolished. The Police Officer in attendance would have been able to also identify that the road markings at the scene were no longer visible and therefore any road user who was travelling along Dry Hill Lane would have had no visible signs or road markings on the approaching Give Way junction. In essence the Officer would have been able to undertake a risk assessment and identify the level of urgency for remedial repair works to be undertaken. I would invite West Yorkshire Police to liaise with the relevant department of Kirklees Council and undertake a new review and consider whose responsibility it should be to undertake a risk assessment at the scene of a road traffic collision in order to determine the level of urgency of remedial work which is required to be carried out so as to ensure the safety of road users and to develop a system so as to ensure that risk assessment process is implemented and carried out. (3) I would also ask you to liaise with the relevant departments of Kirklees Council in order to carry out investigations to determine which departments of Kirklees Council was contacted on the afternoon on 27th September 2012 to report the damage to the give way sign. I heard evidence that Kirklees Council Customer Services, the relevant department which should have been contacted, and who are contactable between the hours of 8.00 and 18 hours. Outside of these hours an answer machine message provides an emergency contact number. If the control room unit had contacted the customer service centre then this telephone line should have been manned and a response received rather than sending an email which was acknowledged by an automated response. I wish to ensure that firstly West Yorkshire Police have the relevant contact number which needs to be used in the future and secondly if the Customer Service centre at Kirklees Council was contacted it clearly was not manned at the appropriate time, I wish to ensure this is rectified. Kirklees Council (1) I have concerns with the regard to the wide variation of how road inspections are undertaken by your Safety Inspectors. During the course of the enquiries undertaken by West Yorkshire Police a number of interviews were conducted with a number of safety inspectors. I have reviewed those interviews and note that there was a wide variation on how Safety Inspectors undertook inspections of a highway.. One Inspector indicated that they would inspect one side of the road one month, and when inspecting the road the following month would inspect the other side of the carriageway. Another Inspector indicated that they would inspect the whole of the carriageway on each inspection. Another Safety Inspector stated that the driver also had a role to place in inspecting the road in addition to driving the vehicle which transported the Safety Inspector who would be seated in the front passenger seat. (2) I have concerns with regard to how Safety Inspectors identify issues at the junction of two roads and which inspection has responsibility to consider matters at the actual junction. There appeared to have been vague and unclear responses from the Inspectors who gave evidence, as to whose responsibility it would be to actually inspect the junction of the two roads. (3) I was concerned that neither of the two Safety Inspectors who gave evidence, considered that the lack of road markings at the junction of Barnsley Road and Dry Hill Lane, and upon Dry Hill Lane itself posed a safety risk to road users and applying appropriate risk assessment should have been repaired I heard evidence from a highly qualified independent expert who was fully familiar with the Kirklees inspection policy and who stated that the lack of road markings at the junction with Barnsley Road and upon Dry Hill Lane itself, were identifiable and reportable defects applying Kirklees Council Policy criteria and should have been reported by the Safety Inspectors and repaired. In addition the independent expert stated that the poor state of the road markings would have been present for a considerable and significant period of time. Certainly, when each of the roads had last been inspected by a Safety Inspector from Kirklees Council. (4) I also have concern that there is no ongoing training and assessment of Safety Inspectors after initial training has been given so as to ensure consistency and appropriate standard levels of inspections are maintained. I would invite Kirklees Council to undertake a comprehensive review of the training of all of their Safety Inspectors and consider what further retraining requirements are required now and in the future. (5) I would refer you to the comments I have made in the West Yorkshire Police section of this report in respect of the operation of Kirklees Council’s Customer Service Centre. I would ask you to liaise directly with West Yorkshire Police and review and ensure the Customer Centre Service facility is fully operational at all relevant times (6) I would also ask you to liaise with West Yorkshire Police in respect of the comments made in the West Yorkshire Police Section of this report concerning risk assessments when a road traffic collision occurs and West Yorkshire Police in attendance and identify the need for repair works to be undertaken, so as to ensure that an immediate risk assessment is undertaken to safeguard members of the public. (7). From details provided in the course of this investigation, it appears that remedial work was required to be undertaken by Yorkshire Water at the junction with Barnsley Road and Dry Hill Lane. This work was to identified on 13th March 2010 and the 5th March 2012, but there was no record that such work had been undertaken, and no follow up was implemented by Kirklees Council, so as to ensure that this work was carried out. I would invite you to review your systems so as to ensure that work is undertaken by other agencies and checks made to ensure that all necessary works are completed. (8) Evidence at the inquest also revealed that members of the public had reported the lack of road markings to Kirklees Council, some months prior to this incident occurring. Although Kirklees Council records show no further action required. I am concerned with regard to this finding in light of the evidence provided to me by the independent expert who confirmed that the lack of road markings was clearly a defect which fell within the Councils existing guidance as an identifiable defect which required rectification. I would invite you to review the present system that Kirklees Council has in place with addressing complaints made by members of the public in respect of the roads and highways which fall within your designated area. 9. I understand that major road works have been undertaken by Kirklees Council at the scene of this incident. However, at the inquest it was clear that the speed limit still remains to be 50 mph. I would invite you to review the speed limit not only on Dry Hill Lane, but also Barnsley Road and Lower Denby Lane. I would request you to review the street lighting along Lower Denby Lane and Dry Hill Lane at their approach to the junction with Barnsley Road and whether any additional lighting is required. ”

    Source location

    Nicholas Gary Stocks · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 4 · concerns

    Open source report

  8. Warwickshire

    AI-generated summary

    Julius CATACHANAS · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Julius Catachanas, aged 25, died following a road traffic collision while driving at night on Campden Road, where his car collided with a lorry at the junction with the Fosseway. Concerns were raised about the absence of street lighting and whether the junction should be staggered to prevent vehicles crossing the Fosseway straight through.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Absence of street lighting at the junction

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) I was concerned that street lighting was not present at this junction ”

    Source location

    Julius CATACHANAS · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Implement a street-lighting scheme to improve junction visibility at night.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “• In view of the number of injury collisions that occurred in the hours of darkness, a street lighting scheme will be implemented to make the junction more visible at night;”

    Source location

    Response from Warwickshire County Council
    Page 2 · response
    Published 1 May 2015

    Open published response

  9. Inner South London

    AI-generated summary

    Maria Nekrasova · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Maria Nekrasova was struck by a licensed taxi while standing in the hatched area in the middle of Westminster Bridge carriageway at about 1.50 am on 4 May 2014, sustaining a severe traumatic head injury from which she died. Concerns included the absence of pedestrian barriers or protection in the carriageway, low and contrasting street lighting, and vehicle headlight glare affecting drivers’ ability to see pedestrians.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Inadequate night-time lighting of the bridge carriageway

    Wider context from the report

    “(2) At night the level of street lighting is low, the lamp standards producing pools of light which have the effect of leaving contrasting areas of the carriageway in relative darkness; ”

    Source location

    Maria Nekrasova · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Carry out a detailed investigation of lighting levels and light distribution across Westminster Bridge by August 2015.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The light output from each of the ‘heritage’ lighting points on the bridge is similar to that provided from conventional street lights. However, TfL will be carrying out a detailed investigation of the lighting levels and the distribution of light over the bridge by August 2015. Following the outcome of the investigation, we will consider what alterations might be appropriate or possible, taking into account the physical constraints of providing additional lighting points across the bridge deck and in such a historic location.”

    Source location

    2015-0141-Response-by-Transport-for-London
    Page 2 · response
    Published 20 February 2015

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Consider appropriate or possible alterations to Westminster Bridge lighting after completing the lighting investigation.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The light output from each of the ‘heritage’ lighting points on the bridge is similar to that provided from conventional street lights. However, TfL will be carrying out a detailed investigation of the lighting levels and the distribution of light over the bridge by August 2015. Following the outcome of the investigation, we will consider what alterations might be appropriate or possible, taking into account the physical constraints of providing additional lighting points across the bridge deck and in such a historic location.”

    Source location

    2015-0141-Response-by-Transport-for-London
    Page 2 · response
    Published 20 February 2015

    Open published response

  10. Powys, Bridgend and Glamorgan Valleys

    AI-generated summary

    Stephen John Owens · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Stephen John Owens was fatally injured in a running-down accident on the Ely Valley Road on 29 August 2013. Concerns related to an unilluminated street lamp, another lamp obscured by foliage, and the resulting level of illumination possibly affecting the driver's ability to see him.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficient illumination affecting driver visibility on the south bound carriageway

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) Street lamp number 19 situated on the pavement to the north bound carriageway of the Ely Valley Road was unilluminated at the time of the collision. (2) Street lamp number 18 again on the pavement adjacent to the north bound carriageway of the Ely Valley Road was obscured by overhanging foliage. (3) Consequent upon (1) and (2) the level of illumination in the proximity of the collision was likely to have had an effect upon the ability of the driver to see the deceased ahead of him on the south bound carriageway. ”

    Source location

    Stephen John Owens · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Obscuration of street lamp 18 by overhanging foliage

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) Street lamp number 19 situated on the pavement to the north bound carriageway of the Ely Valley Road was unilluminated at the time of the collision. (2) Street lamp number 18 again on the pavement adjacent to the north bound carriageway of the Ely Valley Road was obscured by overhanging foliage. (3) Consequent upon (1) and (2) the level of illumination in the proximity of the collision was likely to have had an effect upon the ability of the driver to see the deceased ahead of him on the south bound carriageway. ”

    Source location

    Stephen John Owens · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure of street lamp 19 to provide illumination

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) Street lamp number 19 situated on the pavement to the north bound carriageway of the Ely Valley Road was unilluminated at the time of the collision. (2) Street lamp number 18 again on the pavement adjacent to the north bound carriageway of the Ely Valley Road was obscured by overhanging foliage. (3) Consequent upon (1) and (2) the level of illumination in the proximity of the collision was likely to have had an effect upon the ability of the driver to see the deceased ahead of him on the south bound carriageway. ”

    Source location

    Stephen John Owens · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.

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Data last updated 7 September 2026