I AM pleased to see Councillor Roy Darke has now seen the light (Oxford Mail, viewpoints, October 11) and at least realises the importance of installing lights at Croft Road Recreation Ground.

It seems like a never-ending battle to get them! First of all the original cost was as follows: £28,000 for the lights; £5,000 for the electricity supply; circa £600 per annum to maintain them.

But now with the additional wider scheme introduced by the councillors with two new bridges, one at Rippingdon Drive end, the other leading out of the park along the back of Purcell Road, the additional cost for lights there and the widening of the cycle track, the cost will be around £180,000.

We were promised our lights in 2009, as quoted in the Oxford Mail by Councillor Darke. But it did not happen!

The next year, I even went to Downing Street with a petition of 2,010 signatures. Still we are waiting for these lights to light up the park in these dark mornings and evenings to make it safer for all who want to use it.

I have been told the work could be started in April 2012. Could it be a coincidence that there is a city election in Oxford next year, on May 4? Is this another winter of discontent without our lights?

MICK HAINES Croft Road New Marston