Swindon street lights to be dimmed to save electricity

Street lighting accounted for around 34% of the council's electricity use in 2022/23

A council says it hopes to save electricity costs by changing how 18,000 street lights operate.

Swindon Borough Council plans to reduce light output to use 25% less electricity.

It follows a successful trial conducted in the Old Town area of Swindon last autumn.

About 7,000 lights that illuminate main roads, junctions and pedestrian crossings are being excluded from the changes.

Swindon Borough Council said street lighting accounted for around 34% of its electricity use in 2024.

Under the new plans, street lights will operate on full brightness until 22.00 before their output level is lowered, and then lowered again at midnight before returning to full brightness at 05.00.

The council said reducing LED light output by 25-50% has been shown to be "barely noticeable" to the human eye.

It hopes to reduce its carbon footprint and energy bills.

Councillor Chris Watts, cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: "The trials demonstrated that the output of the majority of Swindon's streetlights can be reduced between 10pm and 5am without a discernible difference to existing lighting levels.

"A similar approach has already been implemented in many other parts of the country."