RESIDENTS living in a sleepy village say they have been left suffering “sleepless nights”... because lights for a pedestrian crossing are too bright.

The crossing in Feering Hill was recently updated.

But residents claim workmen didn’t replace the shields on the flashing beacons.

They claim this means the lights shine brightly all around, rather than just towards traffic.

Bright- The image shows the bright flashing lights of the pedestrian crossing. Bright- The image shows the bright flashing lights of the pedestrian crossing. (Image: Paul Thorogood)

Councillor Paul Thorogood said: “Please see these images of Feering’s answer to Blackpool Illuminations.

“As the workmen didn’t replace the shields on the flashing beacons, it means the lights shine 360 degrees and not just up and down the road to warn motorists.

“This means the lights are causing quite a pollution problem for nearby residents and sleepless nights for some.”

Problem- The brightness of the lights has been bothering nearby residents for some time. Problem- The brightness of the lights has been bothering nearby residents for some time. (Image: Paul Thorogood)

Michael O’Brien, one nearby resident, feels it is “incredulous” that Essex County Highways have left the lights as they are.

He said: “It is incredulous that Essex County Highways feel that this level of light pollution is acceptable and have failed to install shields on the replacement crossing, leading to unacceptable levels of highly visible light intrusion 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The situation is exacerbated in the sense that living in a listed building, and the crossing being in a conservation area, we have an ironic situation that the same council who is responsible for the light nuisance from the crossing refuses to allow fencing or hedging to shield properties from light pollution on the grounds of aesthetics.”

He continued: “When the crossing was imposed on the area several years ago, it was only when people, who had been treated with disdain from the announcement of the plans, started to explore legal measures that any move was taken by ECC to shield light intrusion.

“With no action to date on the replacement crossing, I fear we are again approaching a similar situation.

“Clearly ECC are incapable of showing respect for residents.”

A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: “We are aware of this issue and have scheduled a team to attend the site and replace the shields this week.”

It is understood the lights have now been fixed.