MOTORISTS will have to wait until May at the earliest to see lighting installed on the controversial Leadon Way roundabout.

Despite the delay, the news has been generally welcomed by Ledbury people, some of whom have called the roundabout, in its present state “an accident waiting to happen” and “a death trap”.

But Clive Gunn, chairman of Ledbury Bloom, is asking whether temporary lighting could be installed for the last of the dark nights, before the permanent lighting goes in.

Posting on the Voice of Ledbury Facebook site, Mr Gunn said:

“In the interim what about one of those folding light towers that they use on motorways and other roadwork sites?”

Herefordshire Council only ruled that lights should be installed some four days after The Reporter published an article which highlighted local concerns about the roundabout.

The roundabout serves the ‘stalled’ Hawk Rise estate which Barratt wishes to complete but which has had detailed planning permission removed, at least temporarily, following a judicial review.

Barratt Homes will pay for the lighting and is “awaiting the delivery of materials”.

A Herefordshire Council spokesman said: “Barratt are employing Balfour Beatty to install the street lighting on the road and roundabout. There is a separate piece of work to install the lit road signs on the roundabout that Barratt also need to deliver. A separate contractor is being employed by them for that work.”

Herefordshire Council considered employing Balfour Beatty directly to install the lighting; but because of 'red tape' that process would have taken longer than the idea of Barratt paying for the work and employing the contractor themselves.

The spokesman added: “Work should commence around May.”