Letter: Does Street Light Switch Off Really Save Money?

Published on: 30 Jul, 2017
Updated on: 30 Jul, 2017

From Bernard Parke

Hon Alderman and former Mayor of Guildford

The present policy of switching off street lighting is causing some concern amongst residents.

Areas of Guildford are not immune from crime during the dark hours, especially after pub closing time.

Surrey County Council has said in the past that this policy, which seems to be expanding, is necessary to save money but surely the advent of more crime will outweigh the benefits, putting greater pressure on our emergency services.

I am reminded of the 1940s when it was compulsory for all cars parked on the highways to have some form of lighting and to park in line with the flow of traffic to allow rear reflectors to be seen helping to prevent accidents.

This came into force as an emergency measure in case the street lighting failed in any way. Perhaps we should reconsider this policy which was a sound policy.

Of course, an easier way forward would be to leave street lights on during the night period. It could well be the cheaper option in the long run.

Editor’s note: Rule 248 of the Highway Code states: “You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space” and R249 “All vehicles MUST display parking lights when parked on a road or a lay-by on a road with a speed limit greater than 30 mph (48 km/h).”

Responses to Letter: Does Street Light Switch Off Really Save Money?

John Lomas Reply

July 30, 2017 at 4:44 pm

There was a change to the “lights when parked” regulations, sometime in the late 1950s or early 60s.

Prior to that lights were required on all roads and in order to reduce battery depletion accessory manufacturers produced a single bulb fitting which slipped over the top edge of the window and had a red lens to face the rear and a white one to the front.

If you did park on the right-hand-side of the road it could be fitted to the passenger side window and the lenses were correctly placed but I don’t know if that was regarded as legal by the authorities.