MP secures further reassurances from Electricity NW

South Lakes MP Tim Farron won further reassurance from electricity bosses about street lighting. This is the latest step in Tim's campaign to save street lighting in the South Lakes.

Electricity North West agreed in November to spend £250,000 for new columns to relocate street lighting throughout Cumbria. Tim met with Chief Executive Steve Johnson and Mike Kay, Network Strategy Director at Electricity North West, at the House of Commons this morning to discuss the next steps. At the meeting Steve and Mike told Tim that they had no plans to remove all the poles with lights on and that the fund would help to cover most of the costs if lights need to be moved.

Tim called on them to do all they can to help communities and make sure funding is given to parish councils and support them in replacing poles in communities. Tim pressed them to make sure that local residents were not left with poles if the funding runs out.

Tim said: "This meeting was really helpful. I pressed the bosses on the fact that whilst £250,000 is welcome, it is a small amount. I called on them to do more and keep helping communities in Eden and South Lakeland. We need this funding to deal with the issue and keep the street lights on"