Street light switch-off plan returns despite fears

If approved, the lights would be switched off between 23:30 and 05:30 in rural locations

Plans to turn off streetlights in the early hours of the morning to save money and reduce carbon emissions are being reconsidered after they were deferred last year over safety concerns.

Oxfordshire County Council discussed the latest proposals on Wednesday, which would now expect communities to ask for the reduction in lighting rather than a blanket roll-out.

Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber said he still believed the plan could lead to "increased criminality".

But the council said evidence elsewhere suggested "quite the opposite" and that a consultation showed broad support for the environmental, sustainability and cost savings the programme would bring.

Under the previous proposals, which covered Oxfordshire's 60,000 streetlights, the council estimated it would save up to £400,000 and the equivalent of 400 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

The new plan would involve parish and town councils having to get the backing of their local county councillors before requesting lights are turned off in their neighbourhoods.

They would also need to cover the cost of converting the lights to the new way of operating at a cost of £50 per lamp.

If approved, the lights would be switched off between 23:30 and 05:30 in rural locations and between midnight and 05:30 in more urban areas.

Exemptions would include large urban areas like the city of Oxford as well as major road junctions, remote alleyways and areas with high levels of crime.

PCC Mr Barber, who opposed the previous plans, said he was still concerned the idea had the "potential for increased criminality" and could impact on the feeling of safety for "women and vulnerable people".

But Oxfordshire County Council Leader Cllr Liz Leffman challenged that view.

She said: "There's plenty of evidence from other parts of the country where they've adopted this that actually it doesn't increase criminality – in fact, quite the opposite."

The council also said it had "learned lessons" from last year's proposals and was "confident the updated policy and proposed implementation framework would not reduce public safety."

The plans were scrutinised earlier by the place overview and scrutiny committee.

They go forward to cabinet for approval next month, though the committee recommended "engagement with town and parish councils and communities" to ensure they are understood.