New technology allowing South Glos to switch streetlights back on
At 18th January’s meeting of South Gloucestershire Council’s Environment and Community Services Committee, councillors voted to drop their policy of part-night lighting on street lights.
Technological advances mean that South Gloucestershire Council can now put an end to its part-night street lighting policy, first introduced in 2008.
LED technology has been steadily improving for years and prices are now beginning to drop, but the technology used to switch street lights off at night has increased in price. As such it is now better value for taxpayers’ money, as well as providing a better service to residents in South Gloucestershire to change from part-night lighting to part-night dimming.
Speaking of the policy change Cllr Heather Goddard, Chair of the Environment and Community Services Committee commented:
“As part of an efficiency drive, the previous cross-party administration took the decision to switch off street lights for part of the night.
This was controversial in some areas, particularly where there were concerns over road safety and crime, and I know most councillors have been contacted with concerns about street lighting.
As such I am pleased to say that advancing technology allows us to reinstate whole-night lighting by dimming lights after a period of time, rather than switching them off. This will still save us money – it is a win-win that allows us to offer a better service at reduced cost.”
For more information please contact Simon Schofield on 01454864204 or [email protected]