The Swedish Transport Administration has announced plans to remove 22 streetlight poles in the village of Albacken during 2026. This decision has sparked significant concern among local residents, particularly parents who worry about their children's safety while waiting for school buses in poorly lit areas. Fredrika Ferm, one concerned mother, expressed her fears for the future, emphasizing that it is crucial for children to be safe while waiting on dark roads.

The situation has intensified as residents of nearby Hemsjö have also faced similar issues due to prior removals of street lighting by the Transport Administration, without any prior notification. Mats Wilhelmsson, a local politician from Hemsjö, highlighted the lack of communication from the agency, noting that after streetlights were removed five years ago, the discarded poles have remained on his property without any resolution. This reflects ongoing frustrations among community members regarding the agencies' handling of local infrastructure.

In response to the uproar, Krister Palo, a community planner with the northern regional office of the Transport Administration, acknowledged the agency's responsibility in removing the poles they have taken down. However, it seems that dissatisfaction continues to grow among residents who feel their safety and community engagement are being neglected, leading to broader discussions about the role of the Transport Administration in local community matters and the adequacy of infrastructure support in rural areas.