Residents and visitors to Primrose Hill in London were treated to a special Christmas lights display this year. The lights were switched on by former model Jo Wood in front of an excited crowd, who undoubtedly enjoyed them for the three days they were on.
Camden council decided to remove the lights adorning the upmarket street after only three days, branding them a health and safety risk. Council inspectors found "electrical terminations in a dangerous condition" with attachments low enough to be touched by children and cables strung across the carriageway.
Councillor Adam Harrison said, "Engineers assessed the lights and did not deem them to be safe. Electrical currents were jumping between these shoddily fixed up lights, which were frankly a death trap for residents. We cannot allow people to install dangerous electrics - all such installations need proper testing and permission." A promise has been made to put up some safe decorations as soon as possible.
Mr Harrison added, "Camden council puts residents safety at the heart of what we do. This applies as much to our streets as to the action we take to look after residents in dangerous and inadequate housing."
Former councillor Jonny Bucknell, who helped to organise the Christmas lights through Primrose Hill Business Association, was not impressed that the lights had been completely removed, "By all means switch them off if there’s an electrical fault, we’ll get it rectified, but to take them away? Taking them off the blooming lampposts, that’s the point of no return. I am stunned, completely stunned. I am standing on a dark street looking out on a complete lack of Christmas lights that we have put a whole load of work into all year. They’re in some pound somewhere, I’m going to have to pay to pick them up.”
