News Release

Councillors asked to extend street light switch-off trial

28th November 2011

Councillors will this week be asked to approve the extension of a street lighting switch-off trial in six Aberdeenshire villages with less than 100 street lights.

It has been taking place between midnight and 6am in Auchterless, Auchenblae, Monymusk, Sauchen, Sandend and Rora, affecting 378 lights in total.   

The part-night trial began in March 2011, and all affected households have been invited to express their views. 

These views and opinions will be outlined in a report to members of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee at a meeting in Aberdeen on Thursday. (Dec 1)

The committee will be asked to approve an extension until the end of March 2012, to allow the trial to take in the winter months, following feedback from residents.

A further report would then be brought back to councillors with details of the financial implications and any further issues highlighted by residents.

A joint assessment of the trial will also be made by the council and Grampian Police.

Councillors will also be asked to endorse the development of a long term strategy to reduce street lighting electricity consumption, against a background of increasing electricity costs.

Although further work has still to be done, it is felt the optimum strategy is likely to involve the progressive reduction of consumption by the phased installation of low-energy, dimmable lights as existing units reach the end of their life.

The report also asks the committee to approve the development of a policy to eliminate lighting outwith built-up areas, except on routes used by pedestrians or cyclists or introduced as part of a specific accident prevention scheme.

The financial implications of the different options will be fully developed in the council’s forthcoming Road Asset Management Plan.

This will develop a strategy designed to provide the required level of service at the lowest practicable long term cost to the council.

Councillors will hear the council has already made a saving of £230,000 on its electricity bill for street lighting by changing metering arrangements, despite cost pressures which would normally have led to an increase.

Further information on the street light switch-off trial can be found here.  

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