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Lights off to leave roads in the dark
A CONTROVERSIAL trial to leave more than 1,000 street lights off in south Bucks to save council cash will start in the next week.
Major A-roads, including the A40 between High Wycombe and Gerrards Cross will go dark in coming months.
Buckinghamshire County Council hopes the move will save £85,000 and reduce its carbon footprint.
The changes mostly affect the A40 and A413 and will shut off 1,008 lights along 25 miles of road.
Last August lights were shut off on the A4128 Hughenden Road and the A413 at Great Missenden. Road bollards, studs and markings have been put in place where needed before the latest switch off, a council leader said.
The lights will go dark in Wycombe from early May, Chiltern from early June and south Bucks district from mid to late June.
The plan has split residents. Visitors to bucksfreepress.co.uk called it ludicrous' and a waste of money' while others said the lights are not needed at all times.
Councillor Val Letheren, responsible for transportation at the council, said the trial was ground breaking.'
She said: "Our approach has been really thorough and has carefully considered all the road safety, accessibility and community safety issues of turning off streetlights.
"No significant issues have been raised which we have not been able to deal with or that cause us major concern.
"We'll be continuing to monitor what is happening at these sites."
Roads that will be affected by the light switch-offs in early May include the A40 Wycombe Road, from 40mph at Stokenchurch to the end of the lit length at Wycombe end, and the whole of the lit length at Beacons Bottom.
More lights will be turned off at be the Marlow Bottom Road, from Handy Cross roundabout to Handy Cross Farm, and the same road on the approach to Little Marlow.
Also affected is the B4440 Holtspur Lane from Marlow Bottom Road, from the approach to the Beaconsfield end of the A40 roundabout to 40mph at Wooburn Green.
6:23pm Friday 2nd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Ivor on 7:05pm Fri 2 May 08
It’s a disgrace that the lights are being turned out on a busy road like the A40. I wonder how many accidents there will be as a result?
[bold]I’m covering this topic on my blog today.[/bold] Click on the “Opinion” link on the menu on the left then click on “Readers Bucks Blog”.
It’s a disgrace that the lights are being turned out on a busy road like the A40. I wonder how many accidents there will be as a result?
I’m covering this topic on my blog today. Click on the “Opinion” link on the menu on the left then click on “Readers Bucks Blog”.
Posted by: smokey tw at, wycombe on 7:28pm Fri 2 May 08
who gives a ****
Posted by: Mr_T on 10:02pm Fri 2 May 08
typical pessimism from ivor, wat a surprise
typical pessimism from ivor, wat a surprise
Posted by: FH, Amersham on 11:39pm Fri 2 May 08
Cars have headlights. In areas with few, if any nighttime pedestrians, it makes sense to switch off pointless lights.
Cars have headlights. In areas with few, if any nighttime pedestrians, it makes sense to switch off pointless lights.
Posted by: St George, Not Wycombe anymore on 12:09am Sat 3 May 08
... and the council will do what with the 85000 pounds saved?
Council offices need a re-paint ?
Come on guys ... fill your boots. Got to be some good ideas ou there !
... and the council will do what with the 85000 pounds saved?
Council offices need a re-paint ?
Come on guys ... fill your boots. Got to be some good ideas ou there !
Posted by: yabbadabbadoo, wooburn green on 6:52am Sat 3 May 08
so our council tax should reduce then with all these money saving ideas.
look forward to the refund.....
not.
so our council tax should reduce then with all these money saving ideas.
look forward to the refund.....
not.
Posted by: Steve, Totteridge Hill on 9:00am Sat 3 May 08
[quote][bold]yabbadabbadoo[/bold] wrote:
so our council tax should reduce then with all these money saving ideas. look forward to the refund..... not.[/quote] Sad but true it's costing almost as much to turn the lights off than they're saving! Don't hold your breath on your refund hopes!
yabbadabbadoo wrote:
so our council tax should reduce then with all these money saving ideas. look forward to the refund..... not.
Sad but true it's costing almost as much to turn the lights off than they're saving! Don't hold your breath on your refund hopes!
Posted by: FH, Amersham on 10:11am Sat 3 May 08
Initially it will cost money because of new, better cats eyes and signage, but once that has been paid for, the ongoing costs should be less.
Initially it will cost money because of new, better cats eyes and signage, but once that has been paid for, the ongoing costs should be less.
Posted by: Town Cryer, Wycombe on 10:54am Sat 3 May 08
[quote]Councillor Val Letheren, responsible for transportation at the council, said the trial was ground breaking.' She said: "Our approach has been really thorough and has carefully considered all the road safety, accessibility and community safety issues of turning off streetlights.[/quote]
Based on what ive seen Vals a typically Tory -- lets cut costs and who cares about the residents .
We need more local democracy with Town councils
Councillor Val Letheren, responsible for transportation at the council, said the trial was ground breaking.' She said: "Our approach has been really thorough and has carefully considered all the road safety, accessibility and community safety issues of turning off streetlights.
Based on what ive seen Vals a typically Tory -- lets cut costs and who cares about the residents .
We need more local democracy with Town councils
Posted by: Plus ça change..., Wycombe on 11:24am Sat 3 May 08
We need to try...
Can't see the stars any more either. Because of all the lights.
[italic][bold]Light pollution[/bold][/italic] .
And [italic][bold]noise[/bold][/italic] still need 'sorting'.
Must cost us an absolute fortune.
Less light, greater 'illumination'!.
We need to try...
Can't see the stars any more either. Because of all the lights.
Light pollution .
And
noise still need 'sorting'.
Must cost us an absolute fortune.
Less light, greater 'illumination'!.
Posted by: Pierre, HW on 8:29pm Sat 3 May 08
Turning off residential street lights where there is little or no traffic would make better sense!
Turning off residential street lights where there is little or no traffic would make better sense!
Posted by: happy blue, bucks on 11:36pm Sun 4 May 08
Nothing changes the council keep us all in the dak anyway !!!
Nothing changes the council keep us all in the dak anyway !!!
Posted by: Local, Bucks on 11:49am Tue 6 May 08
[quote][bold]Pierre[/bold] wrote:
Turning off residential street lights where there is little or no traffic would make better sense![/quote] What the hell?? Are you for real??
What a ridiculous idea.
Cars have headlights to enable them to drive in the dark.
Pierre wrote:
Turning off residential street lights where there is little or no traffic would make better sense!
What the hell?? Are you for real??
What a ridiculous idea.
Cars have headlights to enable them to drive in the dark.
Posted by: Steve, Totteridge Hill on 7:49pm Tue 6 May 08
Will the last person out of the town center please turn off the lights...
Will the last person out of the town center please turn off the lights...
Posted by: sr on 11:11am Wed 7 May 08
turn them off on summer nights, thats fine - by the time its dark, traffic has thinned out and its safe. however in winter months , maybe try leaving them on til 10pm? that way we all get home safe and the cars travelling later at night will be fewer and manage quite well with headlamps only.
turn them off on summer nights, thats fine - by the time its dark, traffic has thinned out and its safe. however in winter months , maybe try leaving them on til 10pm? that way we all get home safe and the cars travelling later at night will be fewer and manage quite well with headlamps only.
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