Footway and street lights

We maintain the footway lighting for villages in Eden. A few footway lights in Penrith, Appleby, Alston and Kirkby Stephen. Lighting in our car park and on our land. The total number of lights we maintain is 1,592.

Cumbria Highways maintain all roadway lighting and the footway lighting on the main roads in Penrith, Appleby, Alston and Kirkby Stephen. They also maintain the footway lighting on most new or recently built housing developments. These lights have a four digit number shown on the lighting column.

Report problems with any street or footway lights as soon as possible.

Report a faulty street light

To report a faulty street light you will need the following information:

  • The light number (if possible).
  • Location of the street light, the street name and postcode.
  • Details of the fault.
  • Your name, telephone and email address (optional).

Use the online street light fault report form to report faults or problems.

Or report problems with lights on the contact details below.

Find your Parish Clerk's contact details and ask them to report a street light problem for you.

Our response to a faulty light report

We will arrange for our contractor to assess the light.  Please note that we will be removing sodium lights without replacements as they cease to function.

There is no statutory requirement for local authorities in the United Kingdom, to provide public lighting.  District councils and many parish or town councils have the power (but not a duty) to provide lighting, as local lighting authorities.  These powers being established under the Parish Councils Act 1957 and the Public Health Act 1961.

Report a faulty light

To report a faulty street light you will need the following information:

  • The four digit number on the lighting column (if possible).
  • Location of the street light, the street name and postcode.
  • Details of the fault.
  • Your name, telephone and email address (optional).

Report a lighting fault.

Lights that are privately owned

A very small number of lights within the district are privately owned. These lights are usually located on housing developments. Any new lights not meeting Cumbria Highways specifications for adoption, will continue to be privately owned and maintained.

Who do I contact if I want a new light

Contact your parish clerk or Cumbria Highways to request a new light.

We no longer provide or fund extra footway lighting. If your local parish council will fund extra lighting, we will give them advice on the costs involved.

Last updated: Tuesday, 18 April, 2023.