Streetlight switch-off debate: Your Views

FOR

David Hook, from the Norfolk branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), said he was fully behind proposals to reduce the number of lights at night as it would help to reduce the 'unsightly light pollution which has become such a characteristic of the modern world'.

He added: 'In this day and age, when climate change is the topic on everyone's lips, there are significant reductions in CO2 emissions to be had in this initiative if it's rolled out across the country. There are cost- savings to be had, and people who have trialled it further afield say there's no evidence of an increase in criminal activity.

'Light, like so many things in modern life, is an addiction. Being uncomfortable with darkness is only temporary and, like all addictions, once you can wear it out you come out better the other side.

'I'm not saying everywhere should be unlit at night - all the main links in the city centre should be lit and if there's a crime problem then these areas should be lit - but there are many places where the lights are just left on because the manufacturer built a dusk-to-dawn timer in them.

'Once we get over this knee-jerk reaction of 'I'm going to get mugged', we can reduce hugely our CO2 output just by turning off lights in Britain for 30 to 40pc of the time.'

Gwen Luker, 70, from Letheringsett, said: 'I would be quite happy if they turned off all the lights. It's a terrible waste. At the Holt roundabout you can see the glow all the way from Fakenham. Gresham School has floodlights for their playing fields, which I assume go off at midnight, but they light the whole sky.'

Mrs Luker said she did not think there was any evidence to suggest crime would increase if lights were turned off at night.

She added: 'It's more difficult. You would need a torch and, unless you've got a head torch, it takes one hand, unless there's a group.'

Daphne Ranson, 78, from Stoke Holy Cross, said there were no streetlights where she lived and hoped to see a reduction elsewhere.

She said: 'My concern is for the enormous number of lights on main roads going through rural areas which appear on roundabouts and other places in the countryside.

'On the A146 just south of the Gull pub, I was coming from Beccles and went over the brow of a hill and into a large throng of lights which almost disorientated me. I couldn't really see the reason for them there. And on the A140, south of the southern bypass, lights have appeared at the entrance to a quarry, but, as far as I know, it's not used at night at all.'

Sue Thomas, from Attleborough, said: 'It is a brilliant idea. For those of us who have lived in the country and villages where there are no streetlights, it is not a problem.

'I moved out of London in 1972 to Essex where we had streetlights there, but not as many. We eventually moved to Norfolk in 1980. Most places we have lived had no streetlights and we didn't see it as a problem, although it did come up at council meetings sometimes from people who wanted them. We now live in a cul-de-sac with a light right outside our bedroom window. I am all for saving money that could be put to better use. Turning off the lights during the times mentioned shouldn't be a problem.'

Stephen from Morton-on-the Hill, said: 'If the council turned off streetlights that are on during daylight hours, this would help save some money.'

Victoria Allen, from Hellesdon, said: 'We shall be thrilled if the streetlights go off outside our home on Low Road. From the back garden we see an orange glow from Norwich which blots out the stars. I wish it could be dark. I grew up in the country and it was dark and the sky was brilliant. It's a waste of resources to keep lights on after midnight. Most of the population are abed, it wastes energy and messes up the world with CO2 excess.'

Sheringham mayor Noel Gant said: 'Lights are often on completely unnecessarily.'

Cromer mayor Hilary Thompson said: 'As a nation we need to be more careful with our natural resources.

'As a town council we signed up to the dark skies scheme which means new lights are designed to point downwards as much as possible.

'That said, I have not talked to everyone affected by this, so if there are any safety fears out there, there should be time to address them.'

Adam Tartt said: 'Has anyone driven into Norwich after midnight to be met by 15 sets of traffic lights controlling what? Lights on in service areas, lights on bus stop signs, then office blocks. I am sick and tired of this government lecturing me on carbon reduction when they haven't got their house in order and I'm tired of large corporates putting prices up and blaming green taxes when they do nothing about getting their own house sorted. I don't want the lights on, I don't want to see the waste, and I certainly don't want to foot the bill. For those opposed to it, do as we used to do - arrange safe transport home, walk in twos, get a cab or take a torch.'

Jan Wysocki, from Rupert Street, Norwich, said: 'This is wonderful news, allowing us to see the stars more clearly while reducing waste. I can remember when Ipswich used to turn the streetlights off when I lived nearby in the 1970s. I don't recall any problems from this in Ipswich.

'Of course, it's nice to have some lighting on our streets, but I see no need at all for current levels which are often high enough to let you read by the light coming through a window. I'd prefer a 90pc reduction at all times rather than just a 12am to 5 am shutoff. Is it true that street robberies and violence take place in well-lit areas, because the perpetrators need to see what they're doing?'

Giles Merritt, from Cambridgeshire, said: 'The proposal makes sense on so many levels. The costs that will be reduced, lower carbon emissions, and perhaps for me the most important - the chance for many people in Norfolk to get a better view of the night sky. There are few more beautiful natural sights than a star-filled sky with the Milky Way in full view. I'm certain those against are from towns who have moved to rural Norfolk and demanded that invasive and unnecessary lighting must follow them.'

Ian Sinclair, from Reepham, said: 'When I was younger in the 1950s and '60s, in Thorpe, the lights went out late at night and no one thought anything about it - there was no one about and it seemed a waste to leave them on. I'm disappointed to see that Reepham does not seem to be included in the programme.'

Angela Smith, from Holt, said: 'We are extremely disappointed that our road will not be one of those where the lights are turned off. It is quite ridiculous when all the smaller roads off it will be switched off after midnight. We live on a small estate of bungalows on the outskirts of Holt (backed by sports fields and Holt Hall). Our road, Woodfield Road, is the main road into the estate yet it is a dead end leading nowhere. The streetlights are far too close together and there are far too many of them, especially as all the bungalows were built with a porch that has a fitted porch light as standard (hence individuals can use these for 'safety' purposes, should they wish). We never see the stars and the use of streetlights through to dawn on this road is a complete waste of money.'

Trevor Leverett, 68, from Flordon, said: 'You should put every second streetlight out and put the other ones on a timer. And if office blocks and shops put their lights out as well, it would save a fortune. And us council tax payers wouldn't have to pay so much.'

AGAINST

John Peacock, area representative for pedestrian charity Living Streets, said: 'Living Streets cannot support the proposals by the county council to turn off selected streetlights across Norfolk between midnight and 5am. Streetlighting is an important community asset and its removal will encourage crime and disorder and discourage people from walking. Previous short walking journeys will be discouraged in favour of the 'safer' car trip, which will cancel out any claimed reduction in CO2 emissions. Furthermore, streetlighting acts as a major benefit to road safety.'

Vaughan Thomas, chairman of the Wensum Residents Association and Social Club, Wensum Community Centre, Hotblack Road, Norwich, said: 'I'm appalled by the retrograde step Norfolk County Council is apparently planning by switching off some streetlighting. If streetlights were not important, nay essential, we would have hardly installed them in the first place. There has been a spate of vandalism in Hotblack Road due to, it is thought, poor streetlighting.

'To reduce streetlighting in quiet residential streets - as is proposed - is to invite an increase in vandalism, burglary and accidents.

I can't be the only one to think it pretty important to see where you're going at night.'

Nick Balls, from Norwich, said: 'I'm shocked that our street, Windsor Avenue, will see the lighting turned off. This is not acceptable with the current status of 'high' regarding crime. We already have a problem, well known to the Police Community Support Officers, of the alleyway that runs down one end of the avenues. Switching off the lights will only increase the problem.'

Tracey Woolls, from Guist, said: 'I am disgusted and annoyed that the council are even considering doing this - it's our money, after all. The culprits are all the shops in the high streets and shopping malls all over the country. Who goes shopping around midnight until 5am? They should do their bit for the environment and turn off their window displays and leave the streetlights on, otherwise the crimewave will go up. It only enforces what a third-world country we live in.'

Barbara Wyatt said: 'It sounds like a third-world country to me. We are now a 24/7 nation, many people work shifts, so they need lighting 24/7. The best cost-cutting idea would be to stop final-salary pensions. Nearly all private firms have done this, I cannot afford to pay into my own personal pension, so why do I pay for council workers' pensions?'

Julie Tickle, from New Costessey, said she was concerned about proposals to switch off streetlights across the county. Although she was in favour of saving money and reducing the carbon footprint, she said there could be problems with safety and security.

She said: 'I have teenage children and one of my concerns would be that my daughter would be dropped off by taxi after a night out with friends in the city, would then have to walk 100m in the dark until she reached our lit front door.

'Surely this would be an open invitation to would-be rapists, burglars and vandals? My husband used to live in Smeat Street in Bowthorpe where there were always cars being vandalised and lots of teenagers hanging around at all times. This is one of the areas where they plan to switch off all seven lights and plunge it into darkness. My suggestion would be that maybe every other streetlight be switched off rather than plunging housing areas into total darkness.'

Jennie Price, who runs a business in Diss, said: 'I would be interested to know if the council has liaised with the police on the number of break-ins within the proposed areas? My concern would be that retail outlets within the town will be vulnerable without streetlighting acting as a deterrent. Are there any comparative data available of links between well-lit/unlit areas and burglaries/accidents? The cost of petty crime, such as smashed windows, is a continuing issue for businesses, and given the high level of rates paid, one begins to wonder just how these can be justified with the ever-decreasing level of service from the council.'