New A13 bypass has only got temporary lights

6:25pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in Local News By Melissa Hills

Accident fears – Dr Mike Gallaway Accident fears – Dr Mike Gallaway

CALLS have been made for better lighting at Sadlers Farm at night as drivers fear an accident could be imminent.

Astrophysicist Dr Mike Gallaway, from Hockley, said the temporary lights which are in place at the A13 roundabout are simply not good enough.

He claims he has seen too many near misses at the busy junction.

Dr Gallaway, 47, who works at the University of Hertfordshire, said since contractors Birse removed the lights, it was now an “accident waiting to happen”.

He added: “For the past few months, I have simply avoided Sadlers Farm because it has been such a nightmare.

“Since the roadworks cleared up I have used the junction a few times to go to visit my parents, who live in Benfleet , and this has been at night.

“I couldn’t believe it when I was driving across Sadlers Farm to find all the lights had been switched off.”

Dr Gallaway, who is part of a group which studies how much street lighting is needed at night, believes this junction does warrant proper lighting.

He added: “I have seen a couple of near misses and it’s not going to take long before someone has a crash.

“The layout is confusing enough, without not having proper lighting.

“This situation is ridiculous. It needs to be sorted sooner rather than later.”

Last year, resident Keith Barber, of Clinton Road, Canvey , started a petition for Essex County Council to keep the street lights on.

An Essex County Council spokesperson added: “Old lighting columns have been removed and replaced with a new lighting design and layout.

“Some of the new lighting columns have not yet been commissioned, so temporary lighting is being used in the meantime.

“The temporary lighting continues to be used daily, and will remain in place until the new lighting layout is fully operational."

Comments (12)

6:46pm Fri 3 Aug 12

midgetman says...

Correct me if I am wrong, but dont cars/vans/bikes etc all come with things called headlights? I know my car does, and guess what? when its dark I turn them on so I can see where i am going!!!!
Correct me if I am wrong, but dont cars/vans/bikes etc all come with things called headlights? I know my car does, and guess what? when its dark I turn them on so I can see where i am going!!!! midgetman

6:56pm Fri 3 Aug 12

girlie71 says...

i wonder how this man drives around country roads at night then ?
i wonder how this man drives around country roads at night then ? girlie71

8:38pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Brunning999 says...

Another over educated idiot, than believes Everyone should agree with his views.

If he lives in Hockley why would he have seen too many near misses unless he sits and watches.

Surely it doesn't need a that educated person to understand it is a major road improvement scheme that is progressing badly and there should be approached with due care and attention and if approaching at night use appropriate lights which his vehicle is hopefully equipped with.

Doctor Star Gazer 'Get real mate'.
Another over educated idiot, than believes Everyone should agree with his views. If he lives in Hockley why would he have seen too many near misses unless he sits and watches. Surely it doesn't need a that educated person to understand it is a major road improvement scheme that is progressing badly and there should be approached with due care and attention and if approaching at night use appropriate lights which his vehicle is hopefully equipped with. Doctor Star Gazer 'Get real mate'. Brunning999

8:55pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Dan_ says...

I agree. Too dark, just turn them on already!
I agree. Too dark, just turn them on already! Dan_

9:41pm Fri 3 Aug 12

billericay boy says...

Dr mike can't even open his eyes when he is having his photo taken, perhaps he should go to spec savers or take his licence away. No excuse in any driving condition.
Dr mike can't even open his eyes when he is having his photo taken, perhaps he should go to spec savers or take his licence away. No excuse in any driving condition. billericay boy

12:05am Sat 4 Aug 12

Thecountrysgonetopot! says...

I have problems seeing in the dark but im sorry there is nothing wrongwith the round about at night, if people are having near misses they obviously cant drive!
I have problems seeing in the dark but im sorry there is nothing wrongwith the round about at night, if people are having near misses they obviously cant drive! Thecountrysgonetopot!

5:38am Sat 4 Aug 12

soul man says...

this guys an idiot, he's an astrophysicist for christ sake, he spends most of his time looking at stars or the planets, and when can you see them, ''WHEN ITS DARK'', this guy just wants to get in the papers, if he cant see the cars, get your telescope out, you can see for hundreds of miles with that
this guys an idiot, he's an astrophysicist for christ sake, he spends most of his time looking at stars or the planets, and when can you see them, ''WHEN ITS DARK'', this guy just wants to get in the papers, if he cant see the cars, get your telescope out, you can see for hundreds of miles with that soul man

10:06pm Sat 4 Aug 12

A Dermot says...

Eat more carrots
Eat more carrots A Dermot

11:10am Sun 5 Aug 12

The Cater Wood Creeper says...

there must be some terrible drivers out there if they can't manage without streetlights. Maybe they ought to limit their driving to daylight hours and/or playstation games where they've got more than one life when they balls it up.
there must be some terrible drivers out there if they can't manage without streetlights. Maybe they ought to limit their driving to daylight hours and/or playstation games where they've got more than one life when they balls it up. The Cater Wood Creeper

4:52pm Sun 5 Aug 12

upset says...

This Doctor is out off this world!!!!!
This Doctor is out off this world!!!!! upset

10:00pm Sun 5 Aug 12

whataday says...

The whole system is an accident waiting to happen - what with lanes where you suddenly have to pull over at the last minute. Extremly poor signage and poor lighting - and that slip road bit to Canvey what on earth is that about
The whole system is an accident waiting to happen - what with lanes where you suddenly have to pull over at the last minute. Extremly poor signage and poor lighting - and that slip road bit to Canvey what on earth is that about whataday

11:21pm Mon 6 Aug 12

whataday says...

Just driven from A127 to Sadlers Farm - bloody hell thought I was going to lose the bottom of my car with all the ridges and ramps which haven't been smoothed over. And you can't see the bad state of the road surface cos there's no lights. And yes I have got headlights but I don't use full beam when there's a car fairly near in front or when its going to shine into the eyes of oncoming drivers.
The road's in a disgusting state particularly bearing in mind how over-run this project is now
Just driven from A127 to Sadlers Farm - bloody hell thought I was going to lose the bottom of my car with all the ridges and ramps which haven't been smoothed over. And you can't see the bad state of the road surface cos there's no lights. And yes I have got headlights but I don't use full beam when there's a car fairly near in front or when its going to shine into the eyes of oncoming drivers. The road's in a disgusting state particularly bearing in mind how over-run this project is now whataday

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