Dicing with death

POTENTIALLY deadly live cables were used by youngsters as a rope swing after vandals went on a wrecking spree, ruining lights on the underside of a bridge.

Vandals targeted the wooden structure over Carbrain Gully, smashing bulbs and leaving cables hanging down within reaching distance of children playing nearby.

Resident Bill Henry, of Greenrigg Road, raised the alarm.

He said: "When I phoned the council's lighting team I told them how dangerous the situation was. I could see young children swinging on the cables. Obviously you don't know if a cable is live or not until you touch it.

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"I was then told that they were finishing up in 15 minutes and it would have to wait until tomorrow."

He added: "I found their attitude very concerning.

"Let's hope this newspaper is not reporting somebody's death by electrocution from these cables."

Fred Dannfald, NLC's assistant business manager (lighting), said: "We were informed that the lighting under the bridge at Carbrain Gully was broken late in the day on 10 May. We visited the site as soon as possible the next day, disconnected the power and made the site safe.

"This lighting has been vandalised on a number of occasions so we have taken the decision to remove it completely however the footpath is adequately lit from the street lighting around the bridge.

"If residents see any lighting faults, they can report it via our contact centre on 01698 403110 and we will carry out emergency repairs as quickly as possible."