Increase residential street lighting hours in Bury St Edmunds
Increase residential street lighting hours in Bury St Edmunds
The Issue
The purpose of this petition is to increase the hours that all street lights are lit in Bury St Edmunds. At the time of writing (12/03/21), over 42,000 streetlights mainly found in residential areas of Suffolk are ‘part-night lit’ and are switched off from 11:30 pm to 6 am.
This petition is proposing that streetlights should not be turned off overnight, and should remain on until daylight the next day. West Suffolk Council streetlights are controlled by sensors that detect when it is dark enough for lighting to be required and switch on the lights, but unfortunately, they are not kept lit throughout the night.
This reduced street lighting is an issue that affects a large proportion of residents in West Suffolk and you need only ask a few friends to hear stories of people who are scared witless when coming home from an evening out or going to work in the pitch black. We deserve to feel safe on our streets instead of walking or parking a car down a road with no lights and sprinting to/from the lit main road to our homes, plunged in a street of darkness.
In 2018, one Suffolk Labour Transport Spokesman Jack Owens said ‘The council knows that there is a link between turning off street lights and the risk of crime. At a time when violent crime is on the increase this move is more likely to put women at risk.’ He is not alone in his opinion with other residents and councillors previously voicing their concern, to no avail. (See articles below)
I am aware that the reasons behind limiting the hours of street lights in residential areas is to save money however I believe now is the time for change. After a year of staying home, we are all undoubtedly looking forward to getting back to ‘normal’, and whether that’s a late night out with friends or an early morning commute, we deserve to feel safe. We are all aware of the fear and uncertainty unlit streets bring and with the distressing news this week, I believe now is the time for our local council to recognise that safety for the residents of Bury St Edmunds is paramount.
Please sign and share.
https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/suffolk-saves-90k-by-switching-of-street-lights-early-2838340
The Issue
The purpose of this petition is to increase the hours that all street lights are lit in Bury St Edmunds. At the time of writing (12/03/21), over 42,000 streetlights mainly found in residential areas of Suffolk are ‘part-night lit’ and are switched off from 11:30 pm to 6 am.
This petition is proposing that streetlights should not be turned off overnight, and should remain on until daylight the next day. West Suffolk Council streetlights are controlled by sensors that detect when it is dark enough for lighting to be required and switch on the lights, but unfortunately, they are not kept lit throughout the night.
This reduced street lighting is an issue that affects a large proportion of residents in West Suffolk and you need only ask a few friends to hear stories of people who are scared witless when coming home from an evening out or going to work in the pitch black. We deserve to feel safe on our streets instead of walking or parking a car down a road with no lights and sprinting to/from the lit main road to our homes, plunged in a street of darkness.
In 2018, one Suffolk Labour Transport Spokesman Jack Owens said ‘The council knows that there is a link between turning off street lights and the risk of crime. At a time when violent crime is on the increase this move is more likely to put women at risk.’ He is not alone in his opinion with other residents and councillors previously voicing their concern, to no avail. (See articles below)
I am aware that the reasons behind limiting the hours of street lights in residential areas is to save money however I believe now is the time for change. After a year of staying home, we are all undoubtedly looking forward to getting back to ‘normal’, and whether that’s a late night out with friends or an early morning commute, we deserve to feel safe. We are all aware of the fear and uncertainty unlit streets bring and with the distressing news this week, I believe now is the time for our local council to recognise that safety for the residents of Bury St Edmunds is paramount.
Please sign and share.
https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/suffolk-saves-90k-by-switching-of-street-lights-early-2838340
Petition Closed
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The Decision Makers
Petition created on 12 March 2021