2/03/2010

The lights go out in Taverham (and Norfolk)

Are your streetlights going off in Taverham ? If Norfolk County Council have their way then 665 streetlights in Taverham (where I live) will be turned off from midnight each night.

What amazes me in this is that there are so many more options that Tory run Norfolk County Council have failed to consider but so little consultation with parishes and local people.

1) Why not turn them off from 2am ? People are still returning from pubs, friends, etc at midnight, so why the arbitrary 12pm turn off ?

2) Why not turn every other light off ? It would still cut costs but would provide at least a limited amount of light for pedestrians and make people feel safer.

3) Why are they turning lights off near pedestrian crossings ? I know that in parts of Norwich and in nearby Horsford they are planning to do this, so what is the logic in this ?


If you want to know if your lights are going to be turned off, check out the list of roads in Taverham below.


ACRES WAY, ALDER WAY, ARGYLL CRESCENT, ASHGROVE, BADGERS BROOK ROAD , BARBERRY CLOSE , BARDOLPHS COURT, BECKS FUR, BELL CLOSE , BILL TODD WAY, BISHOP RISE, BRAMBLE CLOSE, BROADGATE , BROOM CLOSE, BUCKTHORN CLOSE , CAMERON GREEN, CASTLE RISE,COLEMAN CLOSE,COOPERS CLOSE, COWDEWELL, CRICKET CLOSE, FIRETHORN CLOSE, FOREGATE CLOSE, FOXWOOD CLOSE, FREELAND CLOSE,FRESHWATER WAY, GANNERS HILL, GARDYN CROFT, GRACE EDWARDS CLOSE, HAREWOOD DRIVE, HARROLD CLOSE, HAVERSCROFT CLOSE, HAZEL CLOSE, HEDGEMERE, HINKS CLOSE, ISBETS DALE, JORDAN CLOSE, JUDGES GARDENS, JUNIPER WAY, KINGSWOOD AVENUE, KINGSWOOD COURT, LIMETREE COURT, MANOR CHASE, MAPLE DRIVE, MARLAND ROAD, MARRIOTT CHASE, MELTON DRIVE, MOKYLL CROFT, MONT CROSS, MULBERRY COURT, NABER FURLONG, NORGATE WAY, NUTWOOD CLOSE, OAKLANDS, OLD WARREN, PEAKWELL CLOSE, PEDDARS WAY, PRIORSWOOD, PYEHURN MEWS, RADCLIFFE ROAD, RIVERDENE MEWS, ROOK DRIVE, SEAFORTH DRIVE, SEGO VALE, SHAKESPEARE WAY, SHEPHERD WAY, SHILLGATE WAY , SNOWBERRY CLOSE, SPRINGWOOD, STEEPLE CHASE, SUTERS DRIVE, SYLVAN WAY , THE CAINS, THE COVEY, THE DROVE, THE FALLOWS, THE MOORS, THE SEATES, THE SHIRES, THE THICKET, TRIMMING WALK, UPHALLE, WALNUT CLOSE , WALSINGHAM DRIVE , WENSUM WALK, WHEATFIELDS, WINNERS WALK, WITHY WAY, WOODLANDS , WYLDE CROFT

11 comments:

S.A. said...

Thanks for this. I had no idea what the Conservatives planned. Why have they not let us know and where is the consultation ?

Nich Starling said...

The Tories idea of consultation is a sham. I have been involved in other consultations when I was a councillor, particularly police consultations and NHS consultations on changes. Both were, in my opinion, nothing more than show and were about them talking and us listening.

Johnny Norfolk said...

I think its a good idea. We have NO street lights in my village. We go out with lamps and torches at night and you cannot miss any cars that aproach as it is so dark, you can see them comming miles away. The night sky is just so fantastic as there is no light polution. I think you should give it a try before you start complaining.

Nich Starling said...

Again, you make assumptions, I have lived in a village without lights, I now live in a semi urban area where streelighting is welcomed and liked.

The fact is that the Tories have not looked at alternatives and it will take 6-7 years before any cost benefit is seen.

Johnny Norfolk said...

I am not making any assumptions at all. I am just saying what I think.

I have no idea where you have lived and has nothing to do with my comment

Anonymous said...

I wish they would turn them off where I live. They aren't needed. They can switch off those blasted lights folks have outside their houses too - the movement sensor 'security lights'. Damn nuisance for neighbours and the crims just chuck a coat over them.

Grumpy Old Beak said...

I actually believe that the street lights should be switched off at night. And why was it not done years ago? Just because in past years the council had the ability to keep raising council tax out of all proportion doesn't mean they have a right to waste money. But I do agree with Nich that 2am is more practical than midnight.
Kingswood Avenue resident

Nich Starling said...

I dpm't think anyone believes that lights should stay on all night, far from it. It's the fact that it is every single light, rather than just half or 3/4 that seems odd and I think the police should have been involved more in the consultations.

I thank you for your comments though.

Unknown said...

The issue of street lighting is clearly an emotive one and I believe that there are not enough street lights being turned off.
Street lighting and indeed all unnecessary lighting is a pollution, just like noise or smells and can be linked to sleep apnoea and some serious psychological conditions.

Humans have evolved for millions of years and are adapted to sleeping at night and functioning during the day, we are artificially polluting our world with unnecessary light. As a keep astronomer, I am constantly frustrated by light pollution and the orange glows, even from our villages and small towns. How wonderful will it be to really see the stars and own home galaxy the Milkyway at night in our villages, town and one day even from our cities.

Wildlife is seriously affected by light pollution and birds in particular. Birds roost at sunset and strenuously announce the dawn. But many are awake most of the night, confused and exhausted. This is clearly having a serious affect on them. Some have said the life expectancy of birds is half in urban areas compared to rural one.

As for keeping lights on later at night to allow drunks to find there way safely in the dark, I have no sympathy for them. As someone who doesn’t drink and there are millions of us, we have to put up with their behaviour, urinating where they like, the noise and light from clubs and pubs is almost intolerable. Let them get a taxi home!

Yes people should be consulted properly, yes all the issues should be discussed including the street lights themselves - they should be full cut-off, allowing all the light to be directed down and not up or sideways.

In principle, most people want the street lights off - light at night is an intrusion and a pollution.

Unknown said...

What exactly are you doing between the hours of 12 and 5 that requires streetlights? whatever it is I suggest you give it up and enjoy the view of our galaxy, you will find it much more rewarding.

Nich Starling said...

I don't know if you have noticed, but pubs don't close at 11pm any more.

Also, you don't seem to live in the 24 hour world others live in. People don't just work 9-5 these days, many work shifts and some people leave for work very early in the morning.

My point though was not about the light switch off, but about the stealthy way this decisin was made with no letters or contact with residents affected, and non existent consultation with electors, councillors and those affected.

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