RESIDENTS of Hipswell have urged the authorities to install temporary street lights to ensure children do not walk from school in pitch dark.

The lights in Byng Road were taken down in June after inspections showed some of the Northern Electric poles were unsafe.

New cables now need to be laid to supply the replacement lamp posts, which have been ordered.

Richmond Central Parish Forum, which met at Hipswell on Wednesday, heard that the work was expected to be completed by February or March.

Coun Richard Dunn, chairman of Richmondshire District Council community committee, said the lights would be installed by North Yorkshire County Council on the district authority's behalf.

Hipswell Parish Council was concerned that children, many of whom use the road to walk to nursery, primary and secondary schools, faced the darkest part of the year with no street lighting.

Coun Paul Cullen said temporary lighting should be provided until February, even if only from 3.30 to 5pm, to ensure the safety of youngsters.

"At the present time, the children go down there and it is incredibly dangerous," he said. "If anything happened to a child there, it is no good saying we were aware of the problem and will sort it out in March."

Coun Dunn said he would pass the concerns to the county council.