Vandals who
persistently target pedestrian lights in Buncrana
are costing the local taxpayer thousands of euro a
year.
That's according to Buncrana Deputy Mayor Cllr.
Peter McLaughlin who says they are also creating
hardship for the elderly, people with visual
impairment and parents with prams who rely on the
busy West End crossing to safely get across the
road.
The ongoing problem also causes traffic gridlock,
particularly during the busiest times of the day.
"I don't think these people are deliberately being
malicious, I just think they are pranksters who
think it's all a big joke," he said.
"But it's not funny, especially for people who rely
on those lights to get across the road safely." The
Fine Gael councillor said the lights had already
been targeted several times this year with the
culprits sticking matches, chewing gum, Blue Tac and
other substances into the on/off buttons.
"When this happens, the Council have to send for
people to come up from Dublin to fix them. The
expenses alone can be about €400 a time before you
even replace the equipment. Every time those lights
are vandalised, it can cost up to €1,000 to fix.
That money would be better spent elsewhere." |
