Street lights in Cornwall to be switched off or dimmed

A total of 3,800 street lights across Cornwall are to be dimmed or switched off during the night

Street lights across Cornwall are to be dimmed or switched off at night as part of a new green initiative.

The council is turning off some lights between midnight and 05:00 and dimming others in busy areas.

Cornwall Council said a total of 3,800 street lights would be dimmed or switched off to reduce carbon emissions, light pollution and costs.

Councillor Richard Williams-Pears said safety would not be compromised by the move.

"Safety is at the forefront in any decision about switching off street lights," he said.

"We won't be compromising on safety as where risk assessments have shown that streetlights are still beneficial, they will be kept on, or will be dimmed once new LED bulbs are fitted."

Street lights in busy town centres and along main roads will stay on or be dimmed during the night.

Areas where there is CCTV, subways and entrances to emergency services premises will also stay on or be dimmed.

Residents can see where and when street lights will be turned off or dimmed on an interactive map on the council's website.

Cornwall's network of street lights currently contributes to around a third of the council's total carbon emissions, according to the council.

'Risk assessments will continue'

All council-run street lights in Cornwall are currently being replaced with energy saving LEDs to cut these emissions as well as electricity use.

These new lights are a similar colour to the previous lamps and are remotely controlled and monitored.

Mr Williams-Pears added: "Risk assessments will continue to be carried out and data shared with local stakeholders.

"Any concerns and requests, including requests from parish and town councils for areas where they want to see street lights switched off or turned back on again, are fully considered." 

The changes are also intended to reduce light pollution to help nature recovery and encourage nocturnal wildlife.

Currently 670 of the council's street lights have been dimmed or turned off during night-time.