Residents of a Cupar street fear they will face another winter in the dark if lighting issues are not resolved before the nights draw in.
Part of Newtown was left in darkness when old street lights were replaced with more energy efficient versions four years ago.
Despite fears for public safety, one area to the west of the street remains unlit as its lighting column has not been replaced.
After nightfall, it is claimed pedestrians have to walk into the roadway to see where they are going.
Householders have urged Fife Council to deal with the problem before the dark nights return.
Cupar councillor Karen Marjoram, who has tried to resolve the situation, said numerous meetings and site visits with council officers over the years had failed to persuade them another light is needed.
She said: “Along with the police, I am of the opinion that lighting is totally inadequate and have asked Fife Council officials to replace the lighting column so we don’t have this dark area.
“This will allow people to walk down the pavement and not have to walk down the middle of the road so they can see as this, obviously, has implications for their safety.”
She said nothing had been done since a survey found some residents were unhappy about the situation and added: “If money is an issue, funding for the additional lighting column could come from the Cupar locality budget.
“I fear that the views of residents, the police and myself are being ignored by Fife Council officials who believe they are the experts, therefore they know best.”
North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins said: “This is simply not good enough.
“People in this area have waited long enough for this situation to be addressed and while other lighting columns around the town continue to be replaced, they are no further forward.
“Safety must be a priority.”
However, Gary Thomson, the council’s service manager for roads lighting, insisted that the required standards had been met and that the lighting levels were actually better than elsewhere as the decorative style required for the conservation area has no dimming capability.
He said: “A few residents have raised concerns regarding the lighting levels, yet in two separate on-site lighting level surveys it was found that the lights complied with the required lighting standards.
“A street lighting resident satisfaction survey was also carried out in Newtown during November 2015 and showed no opinion diversity from that encountered elsewhere in Fife.”
