AN MP is leading the charge against broken and non-operational street lighting which is leaving residents in the dark – with one claiming their road’s lighting has not worked for over a year.

Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois met with the chief executive of UK Power Networks, Basil Scarsella, and councillor Laureen Shaw, responsible for highways at Essex County Council, to discuss the number of streetlights currently out of action.

The Conservative MP believe “hundreds” of streetlights are currently non-operational across the county.

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Mr Francois say he has been contacted by elderly and vulnerable residents who have had to face total darkness when returning home during the winter months.

“I have received a growing number of emails from worried constituents regarding the increasing number of non-operational streetlights, which is proving worrying for both drivers and pedestrians alike,” Mr Francois said.

“Mr Scarscella has promised to update me accordingly over the coming weeks about how UK Power Networks are seeking to rectify this problem, as a matter of priority.”

Basildon resident Simon Warden, of Thorolds, says most of the street lights on his road have nor worked for “over a year”.

“Once it's dark it's pitch black outside my front door and back door,” he said.

“My elderly parents come and visit the grandkids and I have to walk them to and from the car because I fear for their safety. My parents have fell over numerous times because they can't see where they are walking.”

Essex Highways has confirmed it is aware of the issue and is investigating.

A spokesman for the council said: “The defect has now been raised as a priority and the cause will be investigated.

“Once the cause has been determined, we will be able to make plans to resolve the issue."

A UK Power Networks (UKPN) spokesman said: “Essex County Council owns and operates the streetlights and we provide the power to them. If there is a problem the council inform us and then we investigate as quickly as possible and repair any issue with the power supply.

"On February 16 we were aware of 12 streetlight faults in Rayleigh and Wickford, and 11 were completed by March 3. The outstanding job is close to two schools and requires traffic management so is due to be completed in the Easter holidays to minimise disruption.

"We were then provided with a list of 285 streetlight faults in Essex. Following investigations, we can confirm 154 had already been completed and some further jobs were in our system. We are now scheduling the remaining extra jobs and our teams will continue to liaise with Essex County Council."