AN illuminating idea has been found to transform a grim underpass.

And if a trial of LED lighting is successful in Salendine Nook it could be rolled out elsewhere.

Funding of £3,500 was secured to improve the pedestrian subway that runs beneath New Hey Road, near to Moorlands Road and Ray Gate.

Clr Cahal Burke says the underpass required maintenance work as many of the fittings were unlit or vandalised and people avoided using it because it was dark.

So the opportunity was taken to trial the LED lights – it is hoped lighting up and cleaning the underpass will prevent people, especially the elderly, from taking risks in crossing the busy New Hey Road.

Clr Burke, a Lindley Liberal Democrat whose ward covers part of the area, said: “The council are trying to improve areas and the look of places and this is one way of doing it and improving safety.

“Residents have mentioned the condition of this underpass and I’ve seen it for myself, it did need to be improved.

“If it’s dark people will be wary of using it. We don’t want people, especially the elderly, taking risks in crossing the road which can be busy when there is a safer alternative.”

Kirklees Council’s Streetscene and Housing Department carried out the work on the underpass, which links the Lindley and Golcar wards. Funds came from the street lighting maintenance budget.

They’ve installed LED lighting units within the existing fittings which will reduce the underpass’ energy consumption by 66%.

It’s part of a trial to determine the quality and suitability of the LED units and if successful it could be rolled out to 70 similar light units in underpasses across Kirklees.

The underpass is a key route to the nearby Moorlands Primary School.

Clr Andrew Marchington, a Golcar Lib Dem, added: “People will hopefully feel happier walking through the underpass, especially parents taking their children to the nearby Moorlands Primary School.

“The underpass was in a desperate need of improved lighting and a general makeover to remove the unsightly graffiti and damage caused from vandalism, which will now make it a much more pleasant experience to walk through the underpass.”