Concern after lights are switched off at 11pm
Villager worried as switch off is temporarily brought forward
A VILLAGER has raised concerns as street lights have been switched off early during the Covid-19 lockdown.
A resident of Sutton in the Elms, near Broughton Astley, was shocked to notice that the lights on Sutton Lane/Leicester Road, the main route through the village, had been turned off at 11pm.
She said the road, which has a path alongside it, is pitch black to walk along at night without the lights.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council said: “We are aware of concerns about the temporary change to bring forward the part-night lighting switch off time to 11pm.
“We have worked closely with the police throughout the part-night lighting project and when specific issues are raised we do review them.
“The change was made in order to reduce carbon emissions and to save energy during these unprecedented times.
“When the Government advises that the current restrictions can be eased and things start to return to normal, the part-night lights will return to switching off at midnight.”
The temporary changes to part-night lighting started on
May 1.
The council said it had received a small number of inquiries about the temporary change of switch-off times.
The spokesperson said: “The policy on street lighting has been developed in consultation with the police and evidence suggests that lights that are turned off overnight do not naturally lead to an increase in crime. We will continue to liaise with the police on street lighting requests and will respond accordingly.”
Street lights at safety-critical locations, such as junctions, zebra crossings, traffic calmed areas and other highway hazards, remain lit throughout the night and are not affected by the changes.
The county council implemented a scheme of part-night lighting, dimming and switch off between 2010 and 2014 to reduce carbon emissions and save energy and money.
This is a countywide scheme with approximately 39,000 lights being switched off overnight.
Before the changes came in, selected lights were switched off at midnight.