Devon street lights to be dimmed to save millions

Street lights will be dimmed across Devon in a bid to save money.

Lighting will be dimmed to 40% at different times across the county - but not on main roads - in a 12-month trial.

A report for Devon County Council said it was already saving about £6m a year in energy bills as a result of using LED lights, dimming and cutting the hours of lighting.

The council's cabinet voted to approve the trial on Wednesday and said it would reduce the authority's carbon footprint as well as cutting costs.

The decision followed a trial in Abbotskerswell, Holcombe Rogus, Kingskerswell and Sidmouth in April and May.

Stuart Hughes, cabinet member for highways at Devon County Council, said in his ward of Sidmouth only two people got in touch with him having noticed any difference during the trial.

"We're now going to roll it out to the rest of the county and if it's anything like what we've already seen there will be energy reduction and money saved," he said.

In the new trial, lighting will be dimmed to 40% in Exeter from 21:30 to 00:30 and from 05:30 to 06:30.

In market towns lights will be dimmed from 20:30 to 00:00 and 05:30 to 06:30 and in rural areas from 19:00 to 00:00 and 05:30 to 06:30.

Lights are currently switched off from 00:30 to 05:30 and under the trial that will continue in Exeter and will begin earlier at 00:00 in market towns and rural areas.

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