A DARK and dingy underpass will finally be illuminated after 20 years as Basildon Council is to spend £6,000 on lighting.

For over two decades, the subway between Asda Eastgate, off Southernhay, and Kingswood open space, off Witchards, in Basildon, has been in darkness every evening as there are no lights.

Basildon councillor Andrew Gordon received complaints as residents felt uneasy using the passageway after dark.

Now the Labour councillor is celebrating after Basildon Council has pledged to spend £6,000 installing lighting to make the area safer. Mr Gordon, who represents Nethermayne ward, said the move was long overdue.

He said: “There hasn’t been a street light there for 20 years at least, maybe even longer, so it’s been a problem for a long, long time.

“I had quite a few residents upset about it because from about 6pm it is pitch black there, which is quite intimidating.

“Hopefully, having this light will help illuminate the area and so people feel safer using it after dark, which is the most important thing.”

The council said it hoped to have the street light installed shortly.

A spokesman said: “We have approved lighting to be installed in the underpass near the Asda roundabout, under the railway into Kingswood open space. The area is referred to as Middle Hall path.

“It will cost about £6,000.

However, these costs are yet to be finalised. We hope to have it installed before April.”