Drivers in a major UK city could soon see darker streets at night as the council looks to cut artificial light and help wildlife.
Oxford County Council has proposed several measures which would see most street lights switched off between 11pm and 6.30am, rather than remaining on all night.
A decision is intended to be made later this month, as the council forecasts that the changes could help save £400,000 a year.
The council announced that the plan was “primarily intended and focussed on reducing artificial night-time light”, as well as cutting the impact on wildlife.
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Drivers could be impacted if the council decides to move forward with the proposals
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The scheme would see some exemptions included, such as to illuminate alleyways and paths away from roads, as well as where they show traffic calming measures like speed bumps.
It was noted that street lighting is the largest single contributor to the council’s operational carbon emissions and would save around 5,000kW of electricity per day.
Experts highlighted how other councils, like West Sussex and Leicestershire, have rolled out similar plans to reduce the impact of artificial light.
In response to the proposals, road safety experts and police officers have warned that the measures present a “significant risk” to public safety and confidence.
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley Police, has written to Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, highlighting concerns.
In the letter, Barber wrote: “I have serious concerns about these proposals which I understand will be agreed at Cabinet later this month.
“The College of Policing, RoSPA and the IRAP Road Safety Toolkit all recognise the safety benefits of adequate street lighting.
“One of my greatest areas of concern is for the safety of women and vulnerable members of the public, particularly on a night out.”
Barber also noted how some local authorities have invested in technology which would allow for lights to be turned on in response to increased crime or public concern, although this will not be an option in Oxfordshire.
The Conservative PCC for Thames Valley noted how the murder of Sarah Everard in 2021 led to a rise in calls for adequate street lighting to make roads safer for pedestrians.
He added: “Naturally I understand that the County Council remains under financial pressure, as do police budgets.
“Yet in recent years, I have continued to invest, along with the districts and city councils, in improved CCTV to help deter and detect crime. I fear that your plans may limit the effectiveness of this investment.”
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Experts have warned that pedestrians may feel unsafe when street lighting is inadequate
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He concluded his letter by calling on the county council to avoid giving the green light to the proposed measures either with a full rejection or to carry out a consultation.
According to the BBC, the local authority said it would not run a formal consultation but would call on key stakeholders to give their views.
The council added that a council-run campaign would be used to raise awareness of the new changes for locals.
