“I do talk about how dark it is around here with family and friends”
Street lighting on Three Butt Lane in West Derby(Image: Liverpool Echo)
People living on one Liverpool street have been left apathetic due to continuing problems with the street lighting. The ECHO has reported extensively in recent weeks on roads with poor street lighting.
This included a cul-de-sac in Widnes and several streets in the Everton area. The family of Ellis Cox, a 19 year-old who was shot dead close to the Liverpool Loop Line in 2024, also raised concerns about the lack of lighting on the cycle path. Off the back of these reports, we were told that Three Butt Lane in West Derby had similar issues.
When the ECHO visited the street on Tuesday night, there were two street lights that were not working, as well as patches of darkness where residents say more lighting should be installed. A path from the Loop Line, also known as The Ralla, leads on to Three Butt Lane too.
Liverpool City Council has said its maintenance teams work hard to fix poor street lighting and has encouraged people to report any issues to them.
The Loop Line is managed by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, formerly known as Sustrans. The organisation says it is working closely with Merseyside Police on the best way to “improve perceived safety”.
Carl Treble, 56, who lives opposite two faulty street lights on the corner of Three Butt Lane and Liddell Road, said: “One street light has been out for months. I don’t know about the other one. I’ve not reported it for the council.
“I suppose I take it for granted. It’s outside my bedroom window so I don’t think about it too much.”
His neighbour said: “I don’t go out at night because of my bad eyesight. But I do carry a torch with me when I go out just in case.”
Two street lights were not working on Three Butt Lane at the junction with Liddell Road(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Another neighbour said she and others were scared about opening their door at night because of poor visibility. She said: “I do talk about how dark it is around here with family and friends. The two outside here have been out for ages, I don’t know how long.
“I don’t like answering my door at night because of it. There’s a lot of older people around here too who are the same. I haven’t reported it to the council – I should not have to, they should be coming out here themselves.”
Bert Jenkins 73, further down Three Butt Lane, agreed. He has had a massive light installed at the front of his house.
He said: “As you can see, there’s not enough lighting. It’s too dark. That’s why I have a light outside and a camera outside my house, although that’s stopped working now.”
Residents want more street lights installed(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Another man talking about the street lighting, said: “It doesn’t really bother me but the lighting is important for older people. It is right by the Ralla too which has no lighting.”
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: “We understand the importance of street lighting in supporting public safety and accessibility and are committed to maintaining a well-lit environment for all residents.
“Street lights may occasionally stop working due to equipment faults or routine wear and tear. Our maintenance teams work diligently to identify and resolve these issues as quickly as possible. We encourage residents to report any faulty or non-functioning street lights through our website at liverpool.gov.uk/streetlights.”
The Walk Wheel Cycle Trust told the ECHO in November: “Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) manages the Liverpool Loop Line which forms part of the National Cycle Network. We were saddened by Ellis’s death on the Liver Industrial Estate.
“The safety of all people using the Loop Line, and the National Cycle Network more broadly, is a priority for us. We work closely with local councils and the police, and the Loop Line is no exception.
“We have a strong relationship with both Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police and are in regular dialogue with them. We have engaged with the police to determine the most helpful actions that can be taken and will be evidence led in any response.
“The police are going to share a list of suggested measures to improve perceived safety on the Loop Line.
“We’re determined to engage with this as quickly and effectively as possible and will work with our partners to secure funding to implement these measures.”