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Woman’s fears as car park lighting remains unfixed in Wallis Park in Northfleet, Gravesend

A disabled woman fears she could fall or be attacked after waiting more than a year for the lighting in her car park to be fixed.

Natalie Woodgate has lived in Wallis Park in Northfleet, Gravesend for more than 20 years but says it has gone downhill recently.

Natalie Woodgate fears she could get hurt at Wallis Park in Northfleet, Gravesend
Natalie Woodgate fears she could get hurt at Wallis Park in Northfleet, Gravesend
Wallis Park in Northfleet
Wallis Park in Northfleet

She says she is scared for her safety after the lighting in the residents’ car park stopped working last year and has still not been fixed.

“One area is completely pitch black,” she said.

Gravesham council said it wasn't aware there was a problem but has confirmed a small number of lights in one area of the car park aren't working, and they will be fixed as soon as possible.

The 38-year-old, who has fibromyalgia, is due to have an operation which will impede her mobility and is terrified of falling in the darkness.

“If I trip and fall because I cannot see then I’ll be taking it further,” she said.

“It really concerns me as it’s pitch black and I have mobility issues regardless of my surgery.”

Natalie is also worried about being attacked in the lonely car park as she says cars have been broken into since the lights stopped working, including those of her friends and relatives who have come to visit.

The only light is coming from the flats at Wallis Park
The only light is coming from the flats at Wallis Park

“It is scary. I over-think every possible outcome of what could happen, because it can be so dark in the car park.

“I don’t want to go out after dark unless I really need to but with it getting closer to the winter months now and the mornings not getting light until later and it getting darker earlier it is hard not to.

“It’s not safe for anyone to go into the car park after dark.”

After 20 years living in the flats, Natalie said she has “never felt so unsafe”.

Despite Natalie insisting she has reported the problem regularly, a spokesman for Gravesham Borough Council said: “We have no record of any recent complaints received from tenants about current issues with the lighting at Wallis Park, and we would have investigated the issue immediately if any had been logged.

There is no light at all at one end of the car park at Wallis Park
There is no light at all at one end of the car park at Wallis Park

“However, an after-dark site visit has found a small number of lights contained within one area of the car park are not working.

“Our contractor will be on-site early next week to locate and repair the fault.”

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