Hertfordshire Set to Reassess Street Lamp Policy Following Resident Petition

Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is set to reassess its street lamp policy following a significant resident petition. Over 1,000 individuals backed the initiative, calling for street lights to remain illuminated throughout the night. For the past 13 years, most street lights across the county have been turned off between 1 am and 5 am, with a dimming schedule starting at 9 pm.

Background of the Street Lighting Policy

Major roads in Hertfordshire continue to be lit at night, although they experience dimming from 11 pm to 6 am. The petition, spearheaded by local resident John Dowdle, was presented to the county council on December 9. Dowdle expressed concerns regarding the impact of the existing policy on public safety and quality of life, especially for those with conditions such as agoraphobia and nyctophobia.

Petition Details and Public Reaction

• The petition was launched in August and garnered support from 1,042 residents in just eight weeks.
• Dowdle criticized the council for proposing to switch 1,293 lights from permanent to part-night lighting.
• Residents expressed that the savings from the current policy felt “tiny and piffling” compared to the anxiety it caused.

In response to the petition, Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, the executive member for highways, acknowledged that the change to part-night lighting should have been implemented back in 2012. He emphasized the need for accurate information, clarifying that no street lights are turned off before 1 am and that certain areas could maintain lighting until 2 am, based on local requests.

Implications of the Review

After deliberations, the council agreed to review the street lighting policy. The assessment will include evaluating its effects on public safety, accessibility, and contributions to carbon emissions.

Cost and Environmental Impact

• The existing part-night lighting policy reportedly saves the council approximately £3.6 million annually.
• It has contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions by around 30% over the past 14 years.
• The anticipated changes should also save about 8.6 tonnes of carbon emissions, along with avoiding energy costs of £14,000 each year.

According to the council, there has been no adverse effect on crime rates since the introduction of part-night lighting. Continuous monitoring indicated that crime levels did not increase due to reduced lighting. Hertfordshire Constabulary supported this finding, confirming that street lighting can alleviate the fear of crime.

The Path Forward

The council’s report assured residents that they are committed to ensuring safety on Hertfordshire’s streets. It stated that the street lighting system is flexible and adapts to the changing needs of the community. Future consultations will include input from law enforcement to address specific safety concerns in high-risk areas.