Street lights switch off made permanent after trial

Street lights will be switched off early or dimmed on a permanent basis on streets across Devon after a year-long trial.

Devon County Council has said using less energy on street lighting is saving them about £270,000 a year and reducing carbon emissions by about 200 tonnes a year.

The councillor in charge of lighting said the move "strikes the right balance" between efficiency and public safety.

But a woman who lives on an estate in Exeter said switching off street lights at night made it more dangerous for vulnerable people and particularly young women.

Nearly 80,000 street lights in Devon and most of the county's traffic lights have been converted to LED lights.

Dan Thomas, Liberal Democrat cabinet member for highways, said: "This decision strikes the right balance between being responsible with public money, tackling climate change and continuing to keep people safe.

"With the technology we now have, we can tailor lighting to different communities and make changes where they're needed, including increasing lighting levels if safety issues are identified."

The trial took place in Exeter, Abbotskerswell, Holcombe Rogus, Kingskerswell, Sidmouth, Ashburton, Barnstaple, Crediton and Honiton.

A woman who lives on the West Garth housing estate in Exeter said switching off the street lights on her estate was "horrendous".

The woman, who did not want to be named, said she used to work night shifts and would regularly be going to and from her house in complete darkness.

She said: "You cannot see a thing at night and it was really scary.

"They certainly aren't protecting women or any vulnerable people."

The council said "new smart technology" allowed lights "to be adjusted remotely and quickly if safety concerns arise".

A council spokesman said it had worked closely with Devon and Cornwall Police during the trial and police had "raised no objections in principle, and in areas where concerns were identified, changes were made".

Residential street lights in Exeter have been dimmed to 40% of output between 21:30 and 00:30, before being switched off until 05:30.

There are no changes to lighting on main roads.

Street lights in market towns are dimmed to 40% of output between 20:30 and 00:00, before being switched off until 05:30.

Residential streetlights in rural areas are dimmed to 40% of output between 19:00 and 00:00, and switched off until 05:30.

Streetlights return to 40% of output between 05:30 and 06:30.

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