CONCERNS have been raised over safety issues caused by faulty street lights in two Renfrewshire neighbourhoods.

Councillor Audrey Doig, who represents Linwood, Houston and Crosslee, has called on Barratt Developments to urgently fix broken lights next to the Weirs Wynd development in Bridge of Weir Road, Brookfield.

The SNP woman told The Gazette: “I am a reasonable person, and so too are the council officers at Renfrewshire Council dealing with this, but I am demanding that Barratt Housing give an immediate timescale and budget for repairs to a length of street lights at the edge of the Weirs Wynd development.

“These were damaged by Barratt during construction and this is a health and safety risk for drivers and residents.”

David Scott, managing director at Barratt Developments West Scotland, said the firm has been working closely with the council to install a new lighting system on Bridge of Weir Road.

He added: “The issue has been exacerbated by the age and poor condition of the existing lighting and a solution has only recently been agreed with the council’s roads and lighting department, involving both parties working together to deliver the appropriate outcome.

“With the final design now agreed, Barratt have appointed a contractor to install the new lighting system.

“We are in the process of designing the traffic management requirements and obtaining the required road opening permits to help us complete the installation safely and as a matter of urgency.”

There have also been concerns raised over street lights at the Johnshill entrance to Lochwinnoch, which Councillor Andy Doig, who represents the village as an independent, said had been broken for over a week.

He added: “For residents and drivers alike, this is extremely dangerous and I fear it is an accident waiting to happen unless Scottish Power get this resolved soon.”

A spokesperson for SP Energy Networks said: “We take safety issues and our responsibilities as the network operator seriously.

“While we had initial and informal contact with the council regarding these street lights last week, we could only proceed with the necessary works on receipt of a formal instruction of work.

“That instruction has been received and our engineers are attending the location.”