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Shadwell: Villagers will have to foot street lights bill
Shadwell residents could face a rise in their council tax – if they want fancy street lights.
As part of a rolling programme, Leeds City Council will replace the outdated street lamps in January 2009.
The villagers can opt for standard galvanised steel lighting columns – or more elegant "olde worlde" models.
Questionnaires will be sent out with the parish council newsletter to assess public opinion.
Parish council chairman Debbie Potter said 40 people had attended a Saturday morning meeting to hear about the street lighting changes.
"People were absolutely horrified with the height and appearance of new galvanised steel lamps which have gone up on Shadwell Lane," she said.
"There was a definite will to spend money to have the lamp standards upgraded to the best possible specification. At the very least, people would like to see them painted black.
"Certain people indicated they would be willing to pay for ornamental lights outside their own houses."
But parish councillor Geoffrey Wilson sounded a warning.
"About two-thirds of the people indicated they wanted more elaborate lampposts," he said, "but there were only 40 people there. If we ask for an increase in the parish precept to pay for them, there may be a great deal of objection."
Coun Wilson said he understood that painting the lampposts black would cost an extra 50 per unit and a so-called heritage lamppost would cost over 800. He said metal plates could be inserted in the lamps to deflect light away from houses.
Coun Potter said the parish could have specially strengthened lampposts capable of taking hanging baskets. "The council will provide them for those lamps which already have baskets but if we want more we shall have to pay for them," she explained.
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Saturday 19 May 2012
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