WE’RE FACING DARKER TIMES
More street lights go off
CUTBACKS will see dozens more councils switching off street lights at night.
Safety campaigners fear it will put pedestrians and motorists at risk.
Seven out of 10 English councils already dim or switch off lights at night or are planning to do so, an investigation found.
Town halls insist it will help the environment as well as saving money.
Experts at the AA said 11 recent inquests blamed fatalities on lights being off at night and warned it could make the elderly afraid to go out after dark.
President Edmund King said: “While we are sympathetic towards local authorities wanting to reduce CO2 emissions or save cash, we implore them to consider the safety consequences first.”
Millions of taxpayers have been told of service reductions as council tax bills are set to go up in April. At least 12 councils have announced rises of a maximum 5%. Around half of authorities have switched to electricity-saving LED lights despite links to cancer and sleep issues.
Martin Tett, of the Local Government Association, said: “With a funding gap of £8billion by 2025, reducing or changing to LED street lights can free up vital cash.”
LET’S face it – it’s not a very bright idea.
Councils across the country are turning off their streetlights at night.
It’s all in a bid to save cash and hit energy targets.
But the risks far outweigh the benefits.
The plan will create a road safety nightmare.
Roads will be plunged into darkness making them more dangerous.
It’s a major concern in rural areas where there’s no light spill from houses or businesses.
And the problem will get even worse when the clocks go back, sending rush hour into the dark.
There are fears it will fuel more crime too.
We all want to do our bit to save the planet.
But our safety is paramount.
And that must take priority.