Staines cul-de-sac without lights for 18 months

They are calling on housing provider A2 Dominion, who own the houses in the road to sort out the situation so the single mothers and elderly people can see what they are doing during the dark winter nights.

George Green has to visit hospital three times a week for kidney dialysis.

He said: "When we first came here 18 months ago the lights weren't working and A2 said they would be on in two weeks. It was only until 13 months later they came on.

Contractors have fixed them about six times, but the lights only come on for a week or two and then go off again."

Residents say during the winter months it is 'pitch black' without the lights on, and they find it difficult to find their driveway or their keyhole.

Mr Green added: "About six months the ambulance came to pick me up for dialysis and hit one of the lampposts. There was no damage but it is a good example of how dark it can get."

Cherrie John, a single mum who lives with her three-year-old daughter Ella, said: "There could be an accident if it is not fixed. When I come back home at night it takes me about five minutes to fit the keys in the door.

"It's not safe when I have a little girl and live alone, because you have to walk down a pitch black alley to get home. You never know what could happen."

Tanya Thomas, who lives her four-year-old son Corey, said: "My four-year-old sometimes has swimming school and we get back when it is dark so we can't see anything. It is quite scary, and on some nights there is no moonlight."

A spokeswoman for A2Dominion apologised for the situation and said new contractors were appointed in October last year to replace wiring, repair three of the lights, and replace the other two.

She added: "We have been disappointed to learn that these lights are not working once again. We are now investigating exactly what has gone wrong, and will rectify the problem as soon as we possibly can.

"We would like to reassure our residents that we are taking this matter very seriously, and again, would like to offer our sincere apologises for any inconvenience that has been caused."