Southampton City Council cuts back street lighting hours

The council says the changes are part of a commitment to reduce its carbon footprint

Streetlights in a city will be switched off for longer at night, under new council plans to reduce energy costs.

Lights on most residential roads outside Southampton city centre will be turned off between 01:00 and 05:30.

Previously, switch-off hours were between 01:00 and 04:00, under the city council's part-night lighting scheme, which was introduced in April.

The authority said there had been no noticeable rises in crime since its launch.

It added lights would not be switched off on roads where there were concerns about criminal activity.

Originally agreed in February 2023, the scheme was created in response to rising energy costs and a need to reduce energy usage, Southampton City Council said.

The extension to switch-off hours was made after a meeting with Hampshire Constabulary, and came into effect on 1 December.