To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether he intends to replace the removed street lighting at Town Parks North, Antrim, in the interests of public safety.

My Department has an ongoing capital programme to replace street lighting systems which have been deemed to have reached the end of their lives. When a replacement lighting system is installed, the area is assessed and new lighting is replaced in those areas that meet the Department’s policy for the provision of lighting.

In urban areas, street lighting is provided in those adopted pathways which provide access to the front entrances of properties, or where they are identified as through routes with no reasonable alternative lit route. However, where a pathway is not adopted, as is the case at Town Parks North in Antrim, or is identified as only providing access to the rear of properties, any existing lighting is removed and will not be replaced.

I understand the concerns some residents may have regarding the removal of existing lighting at Town Parks North in Antrim which had been assessed to have reached the end of its serviceable life. However, I hope that you will appreciate that this policy ensures that our finite resources are directed at those areas where maximum benefit to the public can be derived, particularly where road or infrastructure safety is concerned, whilst also seeking to reduce future maintenance and energy costs.