We've ended the temporary measure of switching-off part-night street lighting an hour earlier at 11pm. The temporary, earlier switching-off of lights started when the government introduced measures to tackle the spread of Covid-19 by closing hospitality and leisure facilities, as well as community-based events which greatly reduced night-time activity.
The council has reverted to the previous arrangements of switching off all part-night lighting at 12 midnight (the initiative is estimated to have saved 18,300 kWh of energy and 4.7 tonnes of carbon emissions).
This arrangement has been put in place following a review of the council’s position on part-night lighting (it has worked closely with the police throughout the project) and when specific issues are raised in an area. We do review our approach.
The county council implemented a scheme of part-night lighting, dimming and switch-off in 2010 to reduce carbon emissions and to save energy and money. This is a countywide scheme, using a risk-based approach, with approximately 38,600 street lights switched off between midnight until 5.30am. Most junctions, CCTV areas and traffic calmed routes remain lit all night. Between 2012/13 and 2019/20, annual carbon emissions from street lighting fell from 14,572 tonnes to 2,536 tonnes.
We're also having to adapt our business processes for the foreseeable future, this means we're currently only able to undertake repairs to existing street lights, lit signs and bollards (until normal service resumes).
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Our provision of services will be reviewed on a regular basis and may change with immediate effect, dependent on resource availability and national guidance.