Whitfield Hill has once again been plunged into darkness as the clocks have gone back and the streetlights remain off.

Jenny Olpin, who has lived in London Road for 45 years, has called for lighting to make the area safer during dark evenings.

Her concerns have been directed to Kent County Council which made the decision to switch off the streetlights to save £1 million on energy costs in 2013.

Plans have since shown that the lights will go back on over a three-year scheme, which will see the bulbs replaced with more cost-effective LED lighting.

Ms Olpin, 66, said: “Over the decades there have been many accidents and fatalities, and only recently a car turned over and was left for many weeks in the hedgerow.

“Winter is now upon us and the children are not walking, the cyclists are few, the shoppers and workers are not taking the risk.

“As a driver, and even with the speed controls on the hill, it is hard to see pedestrians in their dark winter coats until you pass them. Those that do use the hill are dangerous both to themselves and the traffic.”

Ms Olpin, who also uses the route for cycling, said the hill was too dark and the lack of lighting makes it “not fit for purpose”.

She said: “I urge Kent Highways to reconsider lighting this extremely active thoroughfare for the benefit, and most of all safety, of the pedestrians, drivers and cyclists who regularly use it to access their homes, places of work and out-of-town shops.”

Cllr James Back, who looks after Whitfield, agreed that something needs to be done and will forward her concerns to KCC and the head of highways, Gordon Meassey, at Dover District Council.

He has sent a proposal for temporary lighting to go on from 6pm to midnight.

This will be discussed at a meeting of the Dover Transportation Board.

KCC had not commented as the Mercury went to press.