Road groups voice fears of street lights switch off

Jan 20 2011 Buckinghamshire Examiner

LEADING road safety charities have expressed their concerns at Bucks' proposal to switch off 10,000 street lights in a bid to save £77,000.

Brake and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) have said they are concerned at plans to switch the lights off between midnight and 5.30am and both stated if there is a fatal collision as a result, it would cost the wider economy more than £1million.

Ellen Booth, campaigns officer for Brake, said: "Street lighting is an important safety feature on our roads since it makes a big difference to visibility. We would be very concerned about lights being switched off.

"Any cost-saving measures on roads, like switching off street lights, should only be carried out after risk assessments have shown they will not have a detrimental effect on safety.

"Every road death costs the wider economy £1.7m, so risking lives on the road in order to save money is a false economy - and, of course, more importantly, behind every road death statistic there is a family left to grieve."

Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, said: "The IAM does have concerns about a blanket policy of switching off street lights without close liaison with local people, the police and road users!

"Every area is different and different risks will require different solutions which must be weighed up openly against the benefit of saving money."

"I AM decided to support the Advertiser's campaign after it learned of the death of 23-year-old Elaine Stacey on the A413 in March last year. The incident led to an inquest in which the issue of lack of street lighting on the road was discussed."