MEMBERS of Neath Port Talbot Council have heard feedback from a part night lighting trial designed to help tackle the authority’s growing energy bills.
The report came at a scrutiny committee on June 27 where members heard results of the scheme to test switching off street lights between the hours of 1am and 5am to save money on energy costs.
Councillors in attendance were told the move came after the cost of energy had increased “significantly” for the local authority since the 2022-23 financial year with two consecutive years of “substantial overspend” on the lighting energy budget.
This came despite saving measures which included the installation of low-wattage LED lights, dimming lights across the borough, and altering the times they were turned on and off.
The report read: “In the current financial context an ongoing budget deficit for energy would be exceedingly difficult to sustain and if savings cannot be made within the service this would result in pressure to make cuts elsewhere.”
It added: “The pilot involved 144 streetlights across seven locations within the authority in the vicinity of around 700 homes.
“Alongside and after the trial residents were encouraged to complete a survey regarding their experiences and opinions. It is fair to say that public responses were mixed.”
Correspondence with the Police over the trial showed there were “no concerns raised” during or following the pilot.
Additionally officers noted that seven complaints were received during this period though none were considered to be a high risk.
Concerns included fears about personal safety while walking as well as worries that reduced street lighting could lead to an increase in crime.
Speaking at the meeting Councillor Tim Bowen said he was totally against the switching off of lights adding he felt it was taking the area back to the 1940s.
He said: “I feel listening to all the comments today as if we’re going back to the 1940s where we’re waiting for the air raid sirens to go off and all the lights to go off.
“We’re in 2025. I know we’ve got to save money but we’ve got to have a bit of social life and a bit of normality.”
Others suggested if instead of turning off all lights in a given area every other light could be switched off to save money while some felt lights on industrial estates could be looked at.
Officers responded by saying switching off every other light would be unlikely because of safety issues, as it could create a “dazzle” effect for drivers moving between light and dark, though they said they could potentially look at lights on industrial estates as the project evolves.
The committee will now give feedback to cabinet with the possibility of a further trial to take place in order to get more feedback from larger areas.
The estimated street lighting energy budget for Neath Port Talbot Council in the 2025-26 financial year is £977,000.
