Drivers are being warned of new plans to switch off street lights on a permanent basis across Devon in a move that could cause vision issues.
Devon County Council has confirmed that it will make permanent changes to street lighting across the region following a year-long trial.
The council confirmed that earlier switch-off times and further dimming will continue in residential areas, market towns and rural locations.
Lighting on main roads will remain unchanged, while the council estimates that it could save around £270,000 annually in energy costs.
It could also result in a reduction in energy use to save around 200 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
The council has consistently backed the use of part-night lighting, as well as new technology to adjust lighting “if safety concerns arise”.
Last April, it launched a trial to reduce the amount of electricity used for street lighting by more than one million kilowatt hours a year.
Alongside this, the council invested in LED lighting and a Central Management System that connects more than 66,000 streetlights across the county.
Devon County Council has announced plans to make permanent changes to street lighting
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Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “This decision strikes the right balance between being responsible with public money, tackling climate change and continuing to keep people safe.
“The trial has shown we can significantly reduce energy use and carbon emissions while still responding quickly to local concerns.”
He acknowledged that it was not a “one-size-fits-all” service, allowing the council to tailor lighting to the needs of roads and communities.
He added that changes would be made in areas where they are needed, in addition to increasing lighting levels if safety issues are identified.
The council has upgraded street lights across the region to LED bulbs
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The council worked with Devon and Cornwall Police throughout the trial, with the force not raising any objections “in principle”.
Shift workers in Ilfracombe highlighted some potential issues around earlier switch-off times on routes used late at night.
This prompted discussions with the police and town council to adjust lighting to “provide reassurance for people travelling to and from work”.
Councillor Thomas continued, saying: “Using smarter street lighting enables us to cut costs, reduce emissions and lessen environmental impact, while retaining the ability to prioritise safety where it matters most.
Drivers in Ilfracombe raised issues around street lighting for shift workers
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“This is a flexible approach and we will continue to listen to communities and respond where there are genuine risks.”
Data cited by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) stated that driving outside of daylight hours is more dangerous.
A study from University College London found that only a quarter of travel by car drivers takes place between the hours of 7pm and 8pm.
Despite this, the time period accounts for 40 per cent of fatal and serious injuries to the same group, highlighting the importance of street lighting for all road users.
