A ‘DANGEROUSLY’ under-lit tunnel in Rugby is set to brighten up thanks to a local campaign led by the town’s MP.
Safety lighting upgrades for the Mill Road tunnel – which runs under the town’s railway station – are set to be installed this summer.
Warwickshire County Council (WCC) will install the new lighting, with funding coming from the government’s £104million local transport investment programme.
Rugby MP John Slinger welcomed the move, having raised the issue repeatedly with the council and Network Rail alongside Coun Sarah Feeney, who represents Rugby’s Benn ward at WCC.
Mr Slinger said: “I kept raising this because residents told me it was dangerous – something that I also know from personal experience.
“Mill Road tunnel is used by hundreds of people every day. The lighting was genuinely hazardous, especially on bright days when you go from sunshine to near-darkness in seconds.
“I wrote to the council, I raised it on social media, I met with Network Rail, I took it to the CEO of Warwickshire County Council. I am glad we have got a result, and I want to thank Coun Sarah Feeney who has been championing this locally for a long time.
Coun Feeney added: “Last year we had cat’s eyes added to the road, but we have been trying to ensure better, safer lighting for several years.
“Having nearly witnessed an accident in the narrow part of the tunnel, I believe that this will help to make everyone safer.”
Mr Slinger has also submitted proposals for a safe crossing on Coventry Road near Nature Trails Nursery, improved road markings on the A426, and better pedestrian safety measures approaching Bilton on the B4642.
He added: “Mill Road Tunnel is sorted, but I am not stopping there. Road safety is not glamorous, but it matters to every parent, pedestrian, and driver in Rugby. If you have a road safety concern in the constituency, tell me. I will raise it.”
Installation of the upgraded lighting is expected this summer, pending relevant approvals from Warwickshire County Council and Network Rail.
