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Ref: 439/07 20 November 2007
Dimmer Street Lights Reduce Costs and Lessen Global Warming
An end to all-night street lighting in parts of Cheshire, fewer and dimmer street lights, greater use of more efficient light bulbs, and reduced levels of lighting maintenance are under County Council consideration as a means of reducing costs and global warming.
Street lighting across Cheshire is costing £4.23 million a year. Energy costs absorb £2 million, routine maintenance £1.6 million and structural maintenance including the renewal of dilapidated lighting columns a further £630,000.
But a report from county officers stresses the need for the authority to also take account of social needs and the views of local residents, property owners and road users.
The considerations arise out of an initial call last summer from Liberal Democrat leader Sue Proctor for a review of the county’s ten year old street lighting policies. At a subsequent meeting the Environment Executive called on officers to report back on the scope for reduction in street lighting, energy saving and maintenance.
The report says the number of street lights in Cheshire increases by 2% a year, requiring a further £40,000 in energy while also increasing CO2 emissions.
Options to reduce energy include the removal of street lights where there is little or no adjacent property, where areas have been bypassed, where demolition has reduced the need on former industrial or residential roads, or where it no longer serves a purpose.
The advent of safer cars and improved headlights means highway lighting provided essentially in the 1960s and 70s might now be reduced while the de-illumination of 2,000 traffic signs could save a further £20,000 a year.
Cheshire’s officers are also monitoring Essex experiments where up to 80% of street lighting in two areas is switched off between midnight and 5am. Nearly 80% of residents polled approve of the initiative and there has been no perceptible increase in accidents or crime.
Modern lighting also means street lighting can be switched on and off later and earlier possibly saving another two percent in energy costs. The cycle of lighting maintenance required by modern lighting is also less demanding. In 1969 inspection and cleaning was required every six months today’s modern lanterns can be dealt with every 36 months.
County Councillor Colin Bain, deputy chairman of the Environment Scrutiny Select Committee commented :- ‘The committee has requested a further report on energy and usage savings taking into account what others such as Essex County Council are doing. Making such savings will be the only way to fund new lighting columns not part of a mayor highways scheme or as essential maintenance’.
Now Cheshire’s Environment Scrutiny Select Committee is asking for further investigation.
Note to Editors: Further details from: County Councillor Colin Bain Tel: 01244 380447 or Cheshire County Council’s Chief Lighting Engineer, Phil Edwards Tel: 01244 973555. |