how many streetlights have your council turned off

[stargazer]

I think that the first pilots in Maldon and Uttlesford (Essex) showed a slight reductions in crime across the board. Those pilots have become permanent and Essex County Council are extending the part-night lighting policy to other areas. There have been a number of other trials of part-night lighting in various counties which have either become permanent or are still in the trial phase and showing similar results, i.e. generally reduced or at worst unchanged crime figures. In Charfield, which is near me, crimes in all categories also showed a slight reduction in the 12 months of their pilot compared to the preceding 12 months.

Most of the part-night lighting policies are introduced in residential areas where there is little footfall after midnight and street crime is already low. If the policy was implemented in a town or city area where there was significant activity after midnight then those areas might show an increase in street crime, and also accidents (e.g. trips and falls). I doubt that local authorities would have any appetite to trial in such areas.

 

[fossyant]

No lights turned off.. bugger. Hope that improves by late Autumn.

 

[asterix]

No idea, it's been too dark to count them.

 

[david1701]

we don't have streetlights. I'll have a look next time I'm in town after dark

 

[crazy580]

None, I have to have blackout blinds on my windows because it is so damn bright at night.

 

[Plax]

Unfortunately they do not appear to have done so here. It would be nice as the street lamp outside my bedroom window gets on my nerves (at least the house over the road don't seem to have their security light anymore it used to shine straight into my bedroom that). A few years ago they did put in a different coloured bulb which isn't as bad.

 

[asterix]

PLANS to save £400,000 on energy bills by turning street lights in North Yorkshire off for part of the night have been put forward.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive has voted to introduce the system and says it would also reduce carbon emissions by almost 2,000 tonnes, but has said no lights will be switched off in areas where safety and crime is an issue.

The four-year plan will see a review of the region’s 48,000 council-owned street lights carried out, with those which are no longer needed being removed. The authority says communities will be consulted before any decisions are taken.

The scheme could ultimately see almost two-thirds of the council’s street lights turned off for part of the night.

Why does it take 4 years?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I haven't actually noticed. I will pay attention the next time I am out past dusk

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Why does it take 4 years?

All plans must have long time frames so the goal posts can be moved and other people blamed for failure of said plans. Also how often are elections held?

 

[siadwell]

In Surrey, the council has a programme to replace every street light with more energy-efficient, remotely-controllable ones.

The one opposite my house goes dim at 11pm. By the middle of the night, it's back up to full brightness. Mind you, in other parts of town these funky new lights seem to be on 24/7.

 

[Norm]

Why does it take 4 years?

I would guess that's because street lights don't ship with light switches on them. I'd guess that they'll have to re-configure the power circuits so that, for instance, every other light or every other street is on different circuits so that they can switch off the ones that they want switched off without turning off the whole lot.

Unfortunately, RBW&M have done none so far, which is a great shame. They also keep repairing the ones on our road which break. Those outside our back garden seem to be particularly, erm, fragile.

 

[Andy in Sig]

I like that idea of having buttons on the lamps to turn them on for 15 mins, it seems like a nice idea as it allows people who need to the light to have it. Like all the lights in the immediate area switch on for 15 mins?

Yep. Perfect for grannies taking their dog out for the last turn round the block.

 

[Archie_tect]

In Surrey, the council has a programme to replace every street light with more energy-efficient, remotely-controllable ones.

The one opposite my house goes dim at 11pm. By the middle of the night, it's back up to full brightness. Mind you, in other parts of town these funky new lights seem to be on 24/7.

At least they're not solar powered...

 

[Corgi Kid]

I noticed all the lights were out at Seacombe Ferry terminal last night at 2am. Ive never known it to be that dark. If it saves the council money then I am all for it, saves them hounding me for more money