Surrey County Council are rolling out a controversial new plan to save money in the local area through introducing part-night street lighting. This initiative has already been introduced in the Surrey Heath, Guildford and Waverley areas during December 2016, where streetlights in side-streets are switched off between midnight and 5am. The decision to conduct this plan was made during a Council Cabinet meeting on the 18th October 2016. Recognising the controversial nature of the scheme, Surrey County Council also conducted a public consultation, with over 850 responses; and received a secure 75% of responses in favour of part-night street lighting. Among the locals within Epsom and Ewell, the new scheme has been a contentious topic of conversation, with the plan due to be rolled out in the borough during February 2017.
During the Council Cabinet meeting, last year, reasons for the implementation of part-night street lighting were discussed. A report was published online through the Surrey County Council website, detailing analysis of alternatives for the scheme, why it is effective and the results of the public consultation that was carried out. Since 2010, it is stated, the installation of a “Central Management System” has allowed for dimmed street lighting and allowed for “adapted lighting profiles”. The initiative will give rise to a “£210,000 annual saving”, representing a 7% saving on the “Council’s electricity budget’”. Furthermore, the part-night street lighting plan will “reduce the output of CO2 by 1250 tonnes per annum”, which helps the Council to meet objectives to reduce emissions, but also allows for a further “£22,500 saving in the avoidance of Carbon Tax”. Nevertheless, there is also a planned referendum on an increase in County Council element of Council tax in Surrey by 15%, with the County Council warning the government of a “looming crisis facing social care”. This has made many ask if the council tax they are paying is worthwhile.
Fascinated by the council’s initiative, I conducted a small survey of my family and friends, to investigate how they feel about the potential of unlit side streets during the night. 78% of those I surveyed were aware of the proposals from the county council. Of those, 71% spoke out against the introduction of the plan, claiming they were dissatisfied with the thought of unlit side streets between midnight and 5am. However, 7% claimed to be satisfied the council’s proposal, whilst the remainder were ambivalent. When I asked how they believed it would affect the local community and sense of personal safety, many believed it could increase criminal activity and the chances of burglary. Furthermore, concerns were raised about the vulnerability of pedestrians on the unlit streets, with people returning home at that time needing the light for safety. On the other hand, the benefits of not requiring black out blinds due to streetlights were mentioned, and that very few people are on the streets at such late hours. I also asked those surveyed if they had any suggestions of alternatives to the part-night street lighting plan. Suggestions included a 2-5 am switch-off or the generation of solar power to enable street lighting throughout the night. Another suggestion was the introduction of sensors which switch on the street lights when a pedestrian passes by.
To answer some of the frequent questions raised about part-night street lighting, Surrey County Council have comprised a Frequently Asked Questions page, under their ‘Roads and Transport’ section of the website. It includes the ability to request a review of the scheme in a specific street, providing the homeowner has considerable support from neighbours within the street. However, it is mentioned that a review of the implementation is unlikely unless there are exceptional circumstances; such as an increase in crime or road activity. It seems the county council are being resolute with the plan. With the implementation in the coming month, do you feel like it is lights out in your neighbourhood?
Kathryn Loosley, Tolworth Girls' School & Sixth Form
