RESIDENTS of one of the largest military bases in Europe have expressed fears for personal safety and Garrison security over a lack of street lighting in the centre of the town for the last three months.

North Yorkshire County Councillor for Catterick Garrison, Helen Grant, said she had been inundated with people who said they felt unsafe walking home at night.

Cllr Grant said: “It was October when the street lights first went out – from the Garrison centre roundabout at Aldi, along the A6136 Richmond Road, all the way past Phoenix House towards Longwood Bank leading into Richmond.

“With the new Princes Gates development, which is still lit up, more people are working until the evening and at night and need to walk home.

“There are schools in the area which means children are walking home in the dark.

“There is also a concern about people with disabilities from Phoenix House trying to get into town – it is dark from early evening now and for safety there should be street lighting.”

Cllr Grant added that she believed street lighting in the garrison should be a priority because of the potential for security risk.

The Ministry of Defence has said the lighting would be reinstated by the end of January, with the problem being with cables.

She added: “I had asked the county council and MoD and was told it was being resolved – but it wasn’t until I contacted (Richmond MP) Rishi Sunak that anything has been done.

“I’m pleased to hear the lights will be back on by the end of the month – I will wait and see if it is completely so everyone can walk around safely again.”

A spokesperson for the MOD said: “Work is currently being carried out to repair the lighting in Richmond Road.

"The work is being carried out in two sections and we estimate that all of the work will be completed by the end of January. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Mr Sunak said he had written to Mark Lancaster, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Procurement, last week about the matter.

He said: "Having written to the minister I am glad we have made some progress. I will keep monitoring the situation to ensure a satisfactory resolution."