Streetlight 'blackouts' to come? (From Watford Observer)

Streetlight 'blackouts' to come?

10:56am Tuesday 12th February 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

Streetlights in some areas of the county could be switched off later in the year as part of an energy saving black-out experiment.

Thrifty county councillors warn the cost of powering the 111,000 units under their control is too high and are writing to local and parish councils to explain their proposals.

The Highways and Transport Panel is asking if they would be willing to switch off their lights between Midnight and 6am.

At present, the county's street lighting stock uses the same amount of energy as 4,500 electric fires burning continuously, costing the authority over £2.8 million per year.

Critics nationwide have criticised the idea, calling it mean-spiritied and unnecessary.

Streetlighting, they say, plays a significant role in preventing accidents and deterring crime and antisocial behaviour.

The council, however, claim it is their duty to experiment with such cost-cutting measures.

Councillor Stuart Pile, Executive Member for Highways, Environment and Rural Affairs, said: "While the idea of switching off streetlights is likely to be controversial, the huge amounts of energy involved, not to mention the cost to the taxpayer, make it incumbent upon us to try to find a way of making reductions if we can.

"At this stage we are just sounding out local councils to see whether they would be in favour of the idea and willing to put it to the test for a trial period."