Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
7 September 2010
07:5569091#1
Essex county council since 2007 has been turning off its street lights from1am to 5am stating that most people are in bed at this time.
And that the street lights are not on any night time economy routes.
Saving lots of dosh.
Now councils across the country are looking to do the same, Paulw/Roger/Sue
Is Dover looking at doing this?
There are a number of concerns with this issue.
Safety being one.
Essex C.C. has said there has been no increase in crimes, and no complaints.
But on BBC the reporter whilst filming stated locals were coming up to him complaining about the lights being out.
Others again are starting to question where all the big bill(council tax) goes.
Its a hugh bill, and what do we get in return
What do others think?
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
7 September 2010
07:5869097#2
1. We've been adviocating this action on the forum for ages. A good bit of common sense for sure.
2. Some people will moan about anything given the chance.
3. What are the safety concerns? Crims might hurt themselves inthe dark?
4. Council spending, all levels, needs major scrutiny. There is too much waste.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
7 September 2010
08:0069099#3
SID
Lets take your comments one by one
1Not seen that debate on the forum, interesting to see the latest view from
forumites
2; Sid, careful mate, you do your share of moaning lol
3; Safety of people(don't care about criminals) but others able to get around
freely and safely
4; Can't disagree on that one
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
7 September 2010
08:0369103#4
I`ve walked a number of pitch dark lanes round Whitfield over the year`s, and it`s so dark that you can barely see any building`s. However, if you place a few lamp post`s about, I must admit that it helps light up properties for potential burglaries. Very quiet these unlit roads, and just great for seeing the night sky.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
7 September 2010
08:2669113#5
Definately for motorways and non-residential roads... isn't that why cars have headlights ?
Been nice knowing you :)
7 September 2010
08:2969118#6
If we are concerned about safety, surely the motorways and A roads should have their lights on, and the little used 'B' and suburban roads could b switched off.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
7 September 2010
08:2969119#7
Interesting comment by a local in essex
he said;
Reason why the town dies at midnight is because of
lack of public transport, street lighting going out at midnight,
and now people go around in the dark tripping over uneven pavements they cant see.
its a view
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
7 September 2010
09:0169124#8
when this subject came up before i pointed out that in a town like dover where many walk home from their work at the port at all hours it would be too dangerous.
when it is dark now people walk more in the road than on the pavement due to the street lighting being inadequate locally.
stay on the pavement you will tread in dog toffee because of the lack of vision.
7 September 2010
09:3569134#9
You are right Howard, but there are parts of Dover, such as Temple Ewell, Lydden, River, Whitfield that really don't need street lighting after about 0100-0200hrs, DHB and ferry staff won't be walking home to those locations, so there is a possibility of making savings there I feel.
We shouldn't dismiss the idea just because a few people need street lighting.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
7 September 2010
09:4469135#10
sid
my argument is there should not be a blanket switch off,
councils have to look very closely at each ward to see where the savings could be made.
another issue to be noted is that the first council that did switch off lights in residential streets had a rise in car break ins.
i remember a victim saying that he watched from his window as two figures were casually breaking into his car knowing that they could not be identified.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
7 September 2010
09:4969136#11
SID;
I understand where your coming from, but there are as howard says lots of pro's and cons(no pun intended lol)
Many port workers live in the villages you describe Sid.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
7 September 2010
10:2969141#12
Keith, they do, but thy don't walk to work, and that is the point.
Howard, I agree, a selective solution would be better.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
7 September 2010
11:4869145#13
I am with Howard on the fact that there shouldn't be a blanket switch off for all the valid reasons mentioned. As an Essex resident I can state that the lights where I live are on all night but that may have something to do with the fact that there is a nature reserve here so that's dark anyway and most of the other lights are situated along the road.
The nearest town centre I'm not so sure about as I have never been there between 1am and 5am. I noticed earlier this year that they were fitting 'glow in the dark' pavement strips and CCTV with special night vision.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
7 September 2010
11:5869148#14
The other night I was returning home from work, and ascending a flight of steps from Tower Hamlets to Priory Hill. At one point there is no illumination, and I tripped all the way up to the next lamp post, which is where I could see again.
Imagine it had been from the opposite direction: I'd have descended very quickly down to Tower Hamlets!
According to the Monopoly context, if someone mortgages the electricity work, whoever lands there doesn't pay, but doesn't receive light-services either.
It's like landing in Connaught's Park: they mortgaged the toilets, but even the pond is empty!
So if you land there, it might be better to
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
7 September 2010
14:0669159#15
Some interesting views so far;
looks like an alternative solution needs to be looked at
Also wonder when(if)we will get a reply from P Watkins/Roger/Sue
or do they all have to wait for Paulw TO TELL THEM WHAT TO SAY?
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
7 September 2010
14:5769170#16
i thought it was county councils that made the decisions, although i realise that street lighting in residential areas is handled at district level.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
7 September 2010
16:1369178#17
Oh really Keith, they are Tories, not Labour. Conservatives are independent people as is befitting the party of the individual. Just because Labour members are all under the collective cosh, it does not translate to Tories. If they see this post (not everyone looks in every day) they may choose to express a view, its up to them.
Personally I dont have a particular set view so I have not commented on the topic.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
7 September 2010
17:1869180#18
I am surprised!
Dover's authorities have been advocating tourism to Dover, including cruise liners.
But how can a town then turn the street ligts off at night, and still be welcoming to the tourists?
People would rather go to Athens and Spain, where bazoukis and guitars play until four in the morning, and the alley ways are lit up!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
7 September 2010
17:2869182#19
i don't wish to sound like a killjoy alexander but if someone decides to play a bazouki at 4 a.m. outside my place, they can rest assured that something similar to a housebrick will be winging it's way to them.
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
7 September 2010
17:4069184#20
That's a silly thing to say!! (AD not you Howard!)
This isn't Athens or Spain - it's Great Britain - our country and we do things our own way we don't copy other countries. Why should we? We have a lot to offer tourists that they haven't got in their own country - that is why they come here. If you want lit up alleyways and music in the streets all night then go find it somewhere else - as Howard said - we don't want that here.
With regard to the original subject of this thread, I've got views for and against turning the lights off in the wee small hours, but none of them are to accomodate foreign tourists!!
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".