MORE than 60 “ugly eyesore” lamp post which have been cut down and covered in tape should be replaced before winter.

Essex County Council (ECC) has pledged to replace 61 concrete lamp posts which have been cut in half across Castle Point, councillor Allan Edwards says.

The lamp posts, some which were cut down as long as two years ago, were deemed to fail safety inspection, leading to them being severed and taped over.

Residents had raised fears over a lack of street lighting in the coming winter months, prompting Mr Edwards to chase ECC over the repairs.

“I have had a lot of residents asking me about these so I chased it up with county council and have been assured that they will be sorted before the winter,” he said.

“One resident just held a second birthday party for one outside his home, so it has been a long time coming.”

Mr Edwards says the lamp posts had been cut down and capped over the course of the last two years after failing “routine safety inspection”.

“They are absolutely ugly eyesores, so I am very pleased this is being taken care of,” he said.

“Nobody wants a chopped down lamp post wrapped in safety caution tape on their road.

“Residents also had very valid concerns over a lack of street lighting, to deter crime and keep people safe at night, with 61 of these across the borough.”

The People’s Independent Party councillor says he has been assured by the county council the works will be undertaken before winter, with “some set be replaced in the coming weeks”.

He added: “The county council says these replacements are in this year's budget and work is being planned to complete all of these replacements in late autumn.

“We look forward to seeing these lights back in action before the long winter nights."

When questioned, the county council was unable to confirm the works were going ahead before this story went to publication but promised to issue a statement on Monday.