A recent green initiative from Cornwall Council, in which some streetlights are being dimmed and turned off at night, has caused some safety concerns.
The initiative is being rolled out across Cornwall, with larger towns and cities being affected in 2025. You can check here to see if your street is currently affected.
In a statement shared with us, Cornwall Council had this to say on the matter, “Our vast network of 56,000 streetlights currently contribute to around 30% of the council’s total carbon emissions. By turning off or dimming streetlights between midnight and 5am we are acting to cut carbon emissions, reduce energy use and reduce light pollution to help nature recovery, as well as help offset the increase in energy prices.”
Map of affected areas as of November 2024
Students living in Falmouth and Penryn raised concerns with the lack of streetlights already present. One student said, “I get so scared when walking in the dark towards the industrial estate. I never know where I’m stepping.”
“I’ve nearly fallen down the stairs so many times because of how dark it is, I hate it.”
She continued, “I’ve nearly fallen down the stairs so many times because of how dark it is, I hate it.”
The path between Penryn Campus and the industrial estate
Another student shared, “walking home in October, there are never any lights. I used to walk to Asda and do my shopping at night but not anymore. I had to change my route to a longer path to walk in a more lit area due to the danger.”
“Safety is at the forefront in any decision about switching off streetlights.”
On this, Cornwall Council said, “Safety is at the forefront in any decision about switching off streetlights. Evidence from other local authorities that have already implemented similar night-time switch offs show that levels of crime and number of traffic accidents do not increase.”
They also outlined some exceptions to the light dimming that are being made to keep the streets safe, “Streetlights remain on between midnight and 5am in various locations. These include:
Traffic signal junctions, pedestrian crossings, subways, some roundabouts and junctions, parts of town centres and footpaths that are still relatively busy during the night. On certain roads where there is traffic calming and speed humps, areas where there is CCTV or police surveillance equipment, entrances and exits to hospitals, police, ambulance and fire stations.”
According to the UK Roads Liaison Group, 52% of local authorities dim streetlights to some extent.
They propose that non-LED streetlights should be upgraded. As of their report in 2020, around 56% of streetlights in the UK are currently using LED lanterns.
“UK Governments as well as local authorities have made statutory commitments to deliver extremely challenging CO2 emission reduction targets and the use of LED lanterns would appear to be an easy opportunity to significantly contribute to these targets.”
Cornwall Council began upgrading streetlights to LED in July 2022. The project will end in July 2025.
They pledge to replace all 56,000 council-run streetlights.
Connor Donnithorne, portfolio holder for transport, said, “As a council we are committed to cutting our carbon emissions and working towards becoming carbon neutral. Our vast network of street lights currently contributes to around 30% of the council’s total carbon emissions and this upgrade will have a significant impact on reducing our electricity consumption.”