Councils urged to switch off lights (From Witney Gazette)

Councils urged to switch off lights

STREET lights could be switched off across Oxfordshire between midnight and 5am in a bid to slash carbon emissions and reduce light pollution.

Paul Sargent

County Hall has been urged to show it is serious about cutting its carbon footprint by updating antiquated street lighting with low-energy lightbulbs - and turning off unnecessary lights altogether.

Oxford city councillor Paul Sargent will today table a series of suggestions that, if accepted, would force Oxfordshire County Council - the highways authority - to undertake an audit of every single street light, traffic light and illuminated sign.

He wants County Hall to:

• undertake an environmental impact study to investigate the possibility of switching off unnecessary lighting between midnight and 5am;
• conduct a full audit of civic lighting in its control to ensure lighting is correctly positioned and target-focused;
• investigate the use of energy efficient LED technology as a replacement for antiquated high/low pressure sodium and mercury vapour lamps.

And he wants the city council to play its part by:

• Instructing departments responsible for security lighting on council property, parks, housing and walkways to investigate using LED lighting;
• Instruct businesses to ensure all non-essential work-place lighting is switched off overnight.

Mr Sargent said: "Light pollution occurs from the use of artificial lighting.

"In some cases when light is emitted it can be seen as prejudicial to health or a nuisance."

Between them, the county and city councils spent nearly £5m on electricity in 2005/06 powering street lights, traffic lights and illuminating signs.

County Hall has set itself a target of switching off the lights on 100 street signs a year, where regulations permit, to save cash.

Mr Sargent said: "This council recognises its statutory responsibilities in reducing the nuisance factor of light trespass and takes seriously its moral obligations in raising awareness of light pollution and its increasing impact upon the overall carbon emissions.

"The council acknowledges civic lighting in our public places, parks and highways plays its part in reducing accidents and enabling citizens to go about their lawful business safely.

"However, we also recognise much of our civic lighting stock is ageing, energy inefficient and in many cases, polluting.

"In fact most light pollution is caused by ageing and poorly positioned lighting stock.

"It is time the city and county council put their own houses in order."

Thames Valley Police said it would have to undertake a "crime risk assessment" before any lights were switched off.

Spokesman Toby Shergold added: "We are aware of similar schemes at other councils and we are liaising with Oxfordshire County Council over the possibility of future schemes here, although there are no current plans to reduce lighting."