Blue Jackers

An article in a national newspaper told the story of how various types of council over the UK are dimming the road lighting in order to cut costs. The Daily Telegraph claims that one in 10 street lights are gradually darkened through the night or switched off entirely in a bid to save cash on energy payments. Many local authorities are getting their public spending budgets slashed in an attempt to decrease the country’s debts and consequently, the councils are now trying to get ways to slash costs.

Cllr Peter Box, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Economy and Transport Board, states that at times of challenging financial pressure, councils should search for ways to make savings and save taxpayers’ money but without reducing public safety. He promises that by doing so, it doesn’t affect frontline providers like filling up potholes, child protection and collecting bins. And if councils dimmed their own pendant lighting and bathroom wall lighting in buildings, they could reduce costs even further.

It is stated that if UK authorities switch off a mere 9% of their LED lighting they can save a substantial £21.5 million per year but the schemes implemented to reduce the street lighting is really costing five times more than saving and is a staggering £106.3 million, so at first it will cost more to save. The expensive schemes consist of of technology to progressively decrease the amount of light given off being installed in addition to changing lights to part-night functions; however some councils won’t be able to picture a return on investment or get any benefits for up to eight years. But if councils can cut costs, homeowners can too with their garden lighting and bathroom lighting.

Breakdown cover company AA has issued a notice about the suggestion, declaring that concerns need to be considered as well lit areas are frequently recommended as a preventative crime measure. But the head of road safety, Andrew Howard, has claimed that the dimming of wall lighting and street lights for part of the night is a much better alternative than removing them completely. Councils have been advised by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety that they need to monitor traffic in the areas and have a clear reason for dimming or removing the outdoor lighting.

The amount of councils throughout the UK contemplating the plan is growing as well as the amount of homeowners with their garden lights or kitchen lighting. Bedford Borough Council is running a trial of turning off 83-lights between for 5 hours a night to conserve £383 a year. And Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council has said it expects to dim 4,500-lights from 10pm and 6am for one year too. Moreover, Derbyshire County Council has expressed a desire to get involved and switching off lights between midnight and 5:30am to save £400,000 a year; and Leeds City Council is also planning to power down 8,000 lights over the next three years. Furthermore, Warwickshire County Council has stated it will start to begin to shut down 80% of its 48,500 street lights at the beginning of next year.

Nonetheless, many authorities in cities have made the decision not to become immersed in the scheme with Birmingham, Manchester and the majority of London boroughs not turning off their tiffany lighting. Denbighshire Council in Wales has said that the payback period is too great and Croydon Council argue that they made a decision never to dim the street lights.

Just like the councils, you can cut your energy bills too by dimming the chandeliers and wall lights. Seek to turn the bathroom lights and kitchen lights off when not in use to be eco-friendly and motivate the children to respect how expensive modern lighting rates can be. Many bathroom spotlights can now be purchased that are low energy rated.