Frew continues to press Department for Infrastructure on removal of street lighting in North Antrim

North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew during a visit to Thornbrooke in Ahoghill

North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew has renewed his call for the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to urgently address the ongoing removal of street lighting across the North Antrim area, warning that the lack of illumination poses serious safety and security risks as the darker winter months approach.

Mr Frew said he has been engaging with residents in several affected communities and visiting areas where street lighting has been taken down due to corrosion.

“In the past number of weeks I have been talking to local residents and visiting locations throughout the North Antrim area where street lighting has been removed,” he explained.

“I recently visited Thornbrooke development in Ahoghill village which had a number of street lighting posts removed, in one cul-de-sac alone three of the five lampposts in this area had been removed.”

The Department has previously stated that the columns were removed for safety reasons and would be replaced when resources become available.

“Residents are rightly concerned, and I have again followed up with DfI on this issue,” Mr Frew said.

“They have assured me that ‘when resources become available, we will look at replacing them’.”

Calling for urgent action, Mr Frew emphasised that the issue must be treated as a priority.

“I urge the Department to make prioritising these streetlights a priority. This is a real and genuine concern for many residents given the safety and security risks associated with a lack of street lighting at their properties, especially now that we are approaching the winter months and dark nights,” he said.

“I will continue to engage with the Department and hope to see issues resolved as soon as possible. If you have concerns around the removal of street lighting in your area, please do not hesitate to get in touch with myself or my office.”

Local residents have welcomed Mr Frew’s continued pressure on the Department, highlighting fears over pedestrian safety, visibility for drivers, and potential security issues in areas left without adequate lighting.