Lights turn-off must have public support in new plan

Turning off street lights overnight in areas across Oxfordshire must first be supported by communities' representatives, revised county council plans show.

In November, the authority proposed turning most of its 60,000 lights off overnight in a plan that would have saved £400,000 a year.

But it was halted after a backlash, which included thousands of people signing petitions opposing it, and councillors will be presented with new proposals next week.

The council's papers state "personal and community safety" will be "priority considerations".

"Different operating hours, levels of light intensity and exemptions will all form part of the council's proposals to match the diversity of the county's geography and communities," the council said.

While its "primary aim" will be to "improve the natural environment from a carbon and biodiversity perspective but with personal and community safety being a priority consideration", it said it recognises that "one size does not fit all".

It had previously used the term "dark skies" to illustrate the project but that has been changed in favour of "part night lighting".

Under the plans, communities would only have their lights turned off or dimmed after two rounds of consultation.

The first would be undertaken by the council with councillors and other groups, while the second would be a formal public consultation.

It is then expected that the cabinet member responsible would make the final decision, in the same way the county's 20mph speed zones are currently decided by the authority.

The council's place overview and scrutiny committee will be presented with the outline of the authority's new strategy at a meeting next Wednesday.

An updated council policy for street lighting is expected to be confirmed by senior councillors in July.

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