BUSINESSES hope restored night street lighting will boost their part of Canvey, but insist some defective lamps still need urgent attention.

Lights have been turned back on along Furtherwick Road and a section of Eastern Esplanade after a campaign by businesses and councillors.

They argued the nightly 1am to 5am switch-off, as part of Essex County Council’s part night lighting scheme, was harming Canvey’s booming nightlife.

Ray Howard, deputy county councillor for highways, was able to strike a deal during crunch talks with County Hall officials in December.

The authority switched to part night lighting in March 2014 in a bid to save more than £1million a year.

Warren Garner, landlord of the Haystack Pub, in Furtherwick Road, has welcomed the decision, but called on the county council to address a defective light outside the pub.

Mr Garner believes it to be a key part of the town centre and says his concerns are driven by the safety of his customers once the pub closes at 2am. He said: “Of course, it’s good there’s improved night lighting in the area, but it’s like the Black Hole of Calcutta just outside the pub when people leave.

“There’sastreetlight there right on the bend which has been defective for well over a year. The council sent somebody to repair it, but within a week it was out again. The pub shuts late, and there are crossings and a mini roundabout that are all a lot darker.

“So there needs to be something done about it.”

In response to Mr Garner’s concerns, Mr Howard said: “I would urge the pub to put this in writing to me, and to make a note of the streetlight column number and then this can be addressed at the council. A lot of hard work has gone into getting these lights switched back on, with the aim of keeping people safe in the town centre of a night and this is something we’ll continue to do.”