Colin James Posted October 9, 2015 Report Posted October 9, 2015 The Greyfriars and Eign Gate underpasses are both in desperate need of some TLC. I took these photographs this evening and as you can see, it is very dark here, half the lights are not working. The lights that are 'out of order' are numbers 1 (entrance) 4, 5, 8 and 9 (on the exit). Look how dark the Greyfriars underpass is from Greyfriars end This underpass is in need of some new bright LED lighting throughout and on both entrances including the pathway leading to the actual underpass. I think the council need to provide a safe environment for residents and this feels far from safe as it stands. There is no CCTV coverage here either, this needs addressing sooner rather than later.
Colin James Posted October 9, 2015 Author Report Posted October 9, 2015 The Eign Gate / Victoria Street underpass is not much better as you can see from these photographs. Again, additional brighter lighting is needed here giving people better visibility all around.
Roger Posted October 9, 2015 Report Posted October 9, 2015 Look how dark the Greyfriars underpass is from Greyfriars end No go zone I would suggest. At any time of day. Anyone could be lurking under there. Drinking beer or whatever.
Colin James Posted October 10, 2015 Author Report Posted October 10, 2015 No go zone I would suggest. At any time of day. Anyone could be lurking under there. Drinking beer or whatever. This is why I have highlighted it Rog, we can't be having no go zones in Hereford. This could easily be turned around with additional lighting a lick of pain and a mirror each end so that people entering can see if anyone is stood there. CCTV would be good too.
Bill Thomas Posted October 10, 2015 Report Posted October 10, 2015 I would not take a lot to put some new very bright led bulbs around these area's and would go a long way to make people feel a bit safer at least.
Glenda Powell Posted October 10, 2015 Report Posted October 10, 2015 I wouldn't use it in daylight let alone when its dark to many unseen corners for my liking, you could not see anyone lerking there until its to late. We won't get cctv look how long it took on GWW and the council didn't pay for that one, as I have said many time before unless its a 'pet subject' of the council's they are not interested. People's safety is right out of the window.
Paul Neades Posted October 10, 2015 Report Posted October 10, 2015 Rather than any negativity Bill is right lets get the ward councillors onnthe case and make a difference. Fix or replace lighting, I'm not sure CCTV will happen any time soon but if the better lit & clean that has to be a great start.
Glenda Powell Posted October 10, 2015 Report Posted October 10, 2015 Paul Neades - having served 12 years on the council my comments about them is correct, which one of IOC is the councillor for the city.
Roger Posted October 10, 2015 Report Posted October 10, 2015 I think dodgy people are more likely to hang about at the southern end of the bridge. In that underpass there. I try really hard to avoid being negative but I suggest they are dodgy and best avoided. The Eign Gate one is a bit harder to avoid if you are on foot and live in Whitecross. It's been a magnet for beggars for years!
H.Wilson Posted October 10, 2015 Report Posted October 10, 2015 The Greyfriars and Eign Gate underpasses are both in desperate need of some TLC. I took these photographs this evening and as you can see, it is very dark here, half the lights are not working. The lights that are 'out of order' are numbers 1 (entrance) 4, 5, 8 and 9 (on the exit). GF.jpg Look how dark the Greyfriars underpass is from Greyfriars end GF2.jpg This underpass is in need of some new bright LED lighting throughout and on both entrances including the pathway leading to the actual underpass. I think the council need to provide a safe environment for residents and this feels far from safe as it stands. There is no CCTV coverage here either, this needs addressing sooner rather than later. This would not take much to put right, I mean a few new bright led bulbs and your 75% there.
Paul Neades Posted October 11, 2015 Report Posted October 11, 2015 Glenda I'm not sure who's ward it is off the top of my head but I will find out and see what action can be taken.
Bilbobobby Posted October 11, 2015 Report Posted October 11, 2015 First - have the council/Balfour been approached and asked to put it right. Second - community clean-up? Third - community art walls Make it safe, bright & welcoming
LS86 Posted October 11, 2015 Report Posted October 11, 2015 Wasn't this underpass jet washed and painted white by a group of volunteers the last time? I can't remember who exactly but remember seeing photos on Facebook.
Alex Posted October 11, 2015 Report Posted October 11, 2015 I agree, this could be easily rectified in less than a few hours. New brighter bulbs is the first thing needed because it is way too dark and not many would feel safe walking under there after the hours of darkness. I like Colin's idea of mirrors angled so that you can see around the corner.
Colin James Posted October 12, 2015 Author Report Posted October 12, 2015 Free Radio interviewed me on the telephone this morning about my concerns. I followed this up by reporting both of these subways having out of order bulbs and requested additional brighter lighting. I called Herefordshire Council and spoke with Julie on the switchboard who explained that this was either the responsibility of Balfour Beatty or Highways England. I then called and spoke with Paige at Balfour Beatty who took all of the details, she put me on hold and then came back to me explaining that this is not their responsibility but that of Highways England. I have now reported this to a gentleman named Chris (Birmingham) who took all of the details and told me that he would pass on this information to their local people to deal with.
Aylestone Voice Posted October 12, 2015 Report Posted October 12, 2015 Highways England's conractors are I believe Amey
Roger Posted October 12, 2015 Report Posted October 12, 2015 The Greyfriars and Eign Gate underpasses are both in desperate need of some TLC. Hereford BID have 'adopted' the Eign Gate underpass and will send their 'Glutton' machine to clean there as required. HT
Frank Smith Posted October 12, 2015 Report Posted October 12, 2015 Hereford BID have 'adopted' the Eign Gate underpass and will send their 'Glutton' machine to clean there as required. HT So it will be nice and clean but you won't be able to see just how clean at night because of the lack of light.
herefordman75 Posted October 13, 2015 Report Posted October 13, 2015 I wouldn't use it in daylight let alone when its dark to many unseen corners for my liking, you could not see anyone lerking there until its to late. We won't get cctv look how long it took on GWW and the council didn't pay for that one, as I have said many time before unless its a 'pet subject' of the council's they are not interested. People's safety is right out of the window. If your last comment is correct about people's safety being right out of the window, then surely if someone is unfortunate enough to be attacked/injured (or god forbid, worse), then would the council be liable as they have not fulfilled their duty of care to the electorate? Just a thought.
Glenda Powell Posted October 13, 2015 Report Posted October 13, 2015 Thanks I will check this out, I am wondering if both Herefordshire Council and City Council have got or should have joint responsibility for these underpasses.
Colin James Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Posted October 13, 2015 Thanks I will check this out, I am wondering if both Herefordshire Council and City Council have got or should have joint responsibility for these underpasses. I called Herefordshire Council and Balfour Beatty yesterday see post 15 above. These underpasses are the responsibility of Highways England (formally the Highways Agency) as it goes underneath the A49. On another note, they played my interview on Free Radio today about these but I missed it.
Roger Posted October 13, 2015 Report Posted October 13, 2015 If your last comment is correct about people's safety being right out of the window, then surely if someone is unfortunate enough to be attacked/injured (or god forbid, worse), then would the council be liable as they have not fulfilled their duty of care to the electorate? Just a thought. Daren Loader got murdered in the underpass on Whitecross Road in 2009. I think it would have been dark as it was about 10PM ... I don't recall The Council getting any flak over that area being unsafe.
Colin James Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Posted October 13, 2015 Daren Loader got murdered in the underpass on Whitecross Road in 2009. I think it would have been dark as it was about 10PM ... I don't recall The Council getting any flak over that area being unsafe. In fairness I had the very discussion tonight with a local Police Officer who was actually knocking on doors locally handing out the latest newsletter and asking if everything was good, which was great to see I must add. This particular underpass is nowhere near as dark as the other two in this debate and come under the jurisdiction of Highways England and not the council. I will try and grab some night photographs to show but from memory this underpass is a lot shorter and has a lot better lighting. I also recolect that the attack on this poor lad started on the street and continued in the underpass where he was followed. Original HT article and another article here
Roger Posted October 13, 2015 Report Posted October 13, 2015 This particular underpass is nowhere near as dark as the other two in this debate. I will try and grab some night photographs to show but from memory this underpass is a lot shorter and has a lot better lighting. While you got yer camera out the bit behind the Sainsbury shop on Barton Road has a creepy under section at night.
Colin James Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Posted October 13, 2015 While you got yer camera out the bit behind the Sainsbury shop on Barton Road has a creepy under section at night. That is part of the Great Western Way Roger yes? I assume you are referring to under the bridge?
Roger Posted October 13, 2015 Report Posted October 13, 2015 That is part of the Great Western Way Roger yes? I assume you are referring to under the bridge? Yup
herefordman75 Posted October 14, 2015 Report Posted October 14, 2015 They could use smart lighting too if they thought about it - ones on a sensor that only come on when someone is detected? Probably not as safe as having full LED ones on 24/7, but maybe more cost effective if they were switched to sensing between say midnight and 7am
Colin James Posted October 14, 2015 Author Report Posted October 14, 2015 They could use smart lighting too if they thought about it - ones on a sensor that only come on when someone is detected? Probably not as safe as having full LED ones on 24/7, but maybe more cost effective if they were switched to sensing between say midnight and 7am To be honest LED lighting is so so much cheaper than previous lighting, this is all that is required in my opinion.
Mick Posted October 19, 2015 Report Posted October 19, 2015 I came through the subway near Eign Gate yesterday evening and yes it is dark, paricularly the other side of the road by Steels, it is very dark walking around that curve into the subway, definitely in need of some more brighter lights.
Roger Posted October 19, 2015 Report Posted October 19, 2015 I came through the subway near Eign Gate yesterday evening and yes it is dark, paricularly the other side of the road by Steels, it is very dark walking around that curve into the subway, definitely in need of some more brighter lights. There is a tight corner leaving that subway on town side. I think the biggest risk there is getting hit by a bike. No cycling allowed there as signed!
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