A Tyneside council hopes to expand its works to improve street lighting across the area. This follows works on numerous streets in Gateshead which were identified as being the worst lit.

Gateshead Council has completed street-lighting works on the 10 worst light areas, as designated by local councillors. Works include the replacement of old lanterns with 5m to 6m new columns to improve lighting and remove darkness between the lamps.

The areas which have undergone improvements are as follows:

Jones Street, Birtley, DH3 1DZ
Howe Street, Gateshead, NE8 3PP
Teviot Street, Gateshead, NE8 3RY
Woodburn Gardens, Dunston Hill, NE11 9RS (from No.11 to No.86)
Kirkwood Gardens, Pelaw, NE10 8TP (from the Bus turning circle to Manor Gardens)
Larkspur Road, Whickham, NE16 4LE (from Fellside Road to West Thorn Walk)
Rectory Road, Windy Nook, NE10 9DH (from No.5 to No.37)
High Street, Felling, NE10 9LU
Ennerdale Gardens, Gateshead, NE9 6TQ
Rose Gardens, Grange Estate, Kibblesworth, NE11 0TQ

Elected members are now expected to see for themselves the new lights and provide feedback to council officers. Following feedback it has been proposed that further schemes are approved throughout Gateshead.

The council report states: “The areas would then be investigated and improved as previous pilot schemes, on an annual basis for 5 years.”

The work is due to be discussed next week at Gateshead Council’s Women and Girls committee on December 17. Prior to the creation of the committee in February this year, the current vice-chair coun Pamela Burns had raised concerns about street lighting in Gateshead.

Coun Burns stated in May 2024 that the council’s policy of dimming street lights by up to 75%, or turning them off completely, between midnight and 5:30am was “not adequate enough”, leaving women feeling unsafe.