People living near a footpath in a city suburb say it has become "rather scary" to walk along as the developer responsible for the site has not turned on the street lights.

They say the route feels even more unsafe now that the clocks have gone back and it gets dark at around 5pm.

The footpath, which is around 160 yards long, is part of a new housing development in Mallard Way in Sprowston.

Much of Blue Boar Lane is thrust into darkness because the streetlights haven't been turned on yetMuch of Blue Boar Lane is thrust into darkness because the streetlights haven't been turned on yet (Image: Facebook)

It connects the estate to Blue Boar Lane via a plot of woodland called Boar Plantation, but despite the four lights being installed since the end of June, they have never been turned on.

Developer Persimmon Homes says an issue with nearby power units has led to the delay in connecting them to the grid.

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Christine Osborne, who has lived just across the road in Linacre Avenue for the last 42 years, said it's "rather scary" navigating the route in the dark. 

"I would never ever walk the lane after nightfall unless I was forced," she said. 

"You just don't know who could be in the woods and the lights from Blue Boar don't shine that far in.

Christine Osborne does not venture down the path between the woods after darkChristine Osborne does not venture down the path between the woods after dark (Image: Newsquest)

"With the clocks having gone back and it being dark from five, I think it's awful that the lights haven't been turned on yet."

And as well as the faulty streetlights in Boar Plantation, two of the lamps going west along Blue Boar Lane do not work either. 

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"To be quite truthful, I think there will end up being a serious accident in time," Christine added.

"Kids cycle along the path and have to cross the road in the dark with all the cars whizzing by.

"And with all the new people now living in the Mallard Way development somebody will eventually get hurt."

The area is considerably darker because of the faulty streetlightsThe area is considerably darker because of the faulty streetlights (Image: Facebook) Neighbour Ronnie said: "I can't understand why the lights aren't turned on.

"It's really dark down there and it's been that way for months.

"The path is nicely done and will be good when the lights work but it's not ideal the way it is now."

Other homeowners, however, said they enjoy the newfound darkness and are grateful the lights are no longer shining into their back gardens and bedroom windows. 

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A spokesman from Persimmon said in response to the complaints: "In line with our planning permission for this site, we improved the footpath connectivity in the area around the development.

"During works, an issue with existing service locations was discovered which delayed the completion of the streetlight power connection.

Ronnie, who has lived on the Linacre Avenue junction for 30 years, cannot understand why it has taken so long for the lights to be turned onRonnie, who has lived on the Linacre Avenue junction for 30 years, cannot understand why it has taken so long for the lights to be turned on (Image: Newsquest) "After learning this, we have resolved the issue through a redesign of the electrical network to the streetlighting columns and are pleased to say this work should be completed for residents by mid-November."

But some claim this is three months too late. 

"My husband has rung up Persimmon so many times," said Mrs Hewett, whose home looks out onto the woods.

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"When we look out of our bedroom window all we see are youngsters walking down the new path with their phone lights out.

"It's so dangerous, anybody could be lurking about in those woods.

"It's such a shame they do all this work and then don't finish it.

"Imagine how they would feel if something happened and they could have done something."

There are around four streetlights lining the new path between Mallard Way and Blue Boar LaneThere are around four streetlights lining the new path between Mallard Way and Blue Boar Lane (Image: Newsquest) Calls for a safer link between the new Mallard Way housing development and Blue Boar Lane stretch as far back as 2021. 

In the last year, a toucan crossing has been installed at the junction with Linacre Avenue as well as a handful of improvements made to the cycle path east of the area. 

The Blue Boar Lane cycle path improvement project was heavily criticised when it was unveiled, however, with particular concern raised about safety owing to poor visibility and blind spots.