I UNDERSTAND why people think that councillors have not been listening to them over the lighting of the Halton-Caton cycleway, but it could have been financially and legally very risky for the council to have pulled out of the contract at such a late stage.

At the economic development committee (April 11) councillors were faced with two choices:

1. No lights - break the contract, risk being sued by the contractor (who had already purchased and adapted the lighting such that it would not be easy to re-sell), risk losing our Millennium grant and possibly other funding too, incur unknown costs which could exceed £36,000 - to be paid for from the council's budget for children's play areas. 2. Keep lights - stick to agreed contract, install lighting, retain grants. Review situation after one year - allowing time for vegetation to grow back, pedestrians and cyclists to use the path in all seasons, and see for themselves how intrusive or effective the lighting is. The council could then monitor path use and safety issues in more detail, and consult widely on whether to remove or switch off the lights, with all options properly costed.

I proposed the second option. It didn't succeed, but neither did the first because it was ruled out of order due to financial implications.

So now we're left with the status quo, and a lesson to be learnt by both the council and the electorate, about consulting effectively and responding at an early stage. Perhaps I can pre-empt the next cycleway controversy by informing your readers that the council is currently consulting local people on whether horse-riders should be allowed shared use of the River Lune Millennium Park between Bull Beck and Denny Beck. If you have an opinion on this, please write to Engineering Services, Morecambe Town Hall, LA4 5AF.

Cllr Emily Heath

Green Party