Northampton council tenants fear big electricity bill after communal lights stay on for 17 days straight

Dozens of Northampton tenants say they fear large electricity bills after a glitch means the lights have been on round the clock for 17 days

By Nick Spoors

Published 21st Feb 2019, 16:13 BST

Updated 22nd Feb 2019, 13:05 BST

Eleven blocks of flats near Exeter Place are affected

People living in 11 blocks of flats around Exeter Place, just off Wellingborough Road, had work carried out on their communal entrances to improve security. Existing gates were replaced by Northampton Partnership Homes workmen with opaque doors

Resident Michael Spittles said: "We have tried to speak with the overseer of Exeter Place and Portland Place complex, but he just ignores us, he doesn't listen."

A spokesman for Northampton Partnership Homes said: "This has happened after an upgrade of security,

"The photo cell that recognises whether it is light or dark is shielded by the new doors.

"Unfortunately, we can't switch the lights off on stairwells and corridors for safety reasons."

The spokesman did say that NHP was working on a solution, and an upgrade of all the communal lights to a low-energy system.