Decision details

The Cabinet Member:

1.    Approved a change to the dimming regime for residential lights to introduce a 40% dim between 00:00 and 05:00.

2.    Approved a change to the times at which dimming is introduced following a study of traffic flow data on traffic routes.

3.    Approved a change to the times at which dimming is introduced following a study of traffic flow data in residential areas.

There is no positive requirement to provide street lighting, however, where an authority choses to do so it should be in line with recommended British Standards Any decision to move away from the British Standards needs to be carefully assessed and considered “reasonable” should a claim be made in court.

Research has shown other authorities are illuminating in line with the above, we are not aware of any authority lighting below standards, particularly on traffic routes where potential for conflict is greater.

Following discussions with colleagues in the Council’s Insurance Team it is not advised to stray from the standards on traffic routes but agreed that should data show traffic volumes change outside of the current dimming times the regimes could be revised accordingly.

Given the level of risk is significantly less on residential routes due to reduced traffic volumes and lower speeds it was advised that illuminating below standard during times where traffic levels are extremely low would be considered reasonable.

It was reviewed in some detail if we could leave the pandemic regime in place due to the lack of objections received. However, the potential risk of providing lighting that is not in line with the relevant British Standard, particularly on traffic routes, was considered too high.

Return to pre pandemic levels without any changes to the timings or dimming levels, this will not offer any further savings for both carbon usage and budget and therefore whilst the initial recommendation only offers small additional savings they are felt to be justified.

Introduce switching off at nonpeak hours in low-risk areas, this can be introduced following a full detailed appraisal and consultation. If this is something that the authority wishes to explore these exercises will need to take place prior to any switch off regimes being introduced.

There are none.

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