Letter: Worries over Shropshire lights switch-off
Thursday 29th September 2011, 6:00AM BST.
Letter: Congratulations, Councillor Mike Walker, of Church Stretton Town Council, for introducing Shropshire’s first pilot scheme to turn the street lights off to save cash and carbon emissions.
Is that why you introduced the 20mph speed restriction in Church Stretton? Endeavouring to remain within the restriction requires an element of gear shifting – carbon emission?
I am not surprised the police approve. Do you ever overhear the protestation in the street ‘where are the police when you need them’? when under-age drinking, drugs, fighting, smashed shop windows, boy racers are all prevalent in Church Stretton.
It is not so long ago that an elderly lady was mugged in the town, before midnight, and the sports pavilion burned to the ground.
The police do not appear to cope, and are they not now under threat of financial cutbacks?
I quote you Councillor Walker: “I can assure residents that we have thought very carefully about every single light and whether it needs to be on in the middle of the night or not. In areas where elderly or vulnerable people live we are being cautious and keeping the lights on at road junctions.”
For goodness’ sake, Councillor Walker, you are, according to the article, aiming to turn the lights off between midnight and 5.30am.
I cannot imagine any elderly or vulnerable person being on the road junctions between those hours but I can certainly imagine a number of detours from off the A49. We have had several serious burglaries within the last few months.
And now I will assure you, Councillor Walker, I have paid for street lighting with my council tax. If you deliberately remove or take away what I have paid for, then that is theft – and the police will have to be informed.
Christine Wright
Church Stretton
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What an over the top and silly letter. Lights off midnight until 5-30am should be implemented in all small towns and villages .As for the letter writers description of church stretton and it crime wave how damaging is that to the town? if anyone believes it we have moss-side on our door step i thought it was called the UK’S little Switzerland.
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This has got to be the most ridiculous letter I have ever read in the Shropshire Star, and that’s saying something!
I’m a resident of Church Stretton and I welcome the lights being switched off. It should be remembered that they’re only being switched off in the early hours of the morning and only in some select parts of the town.
It will save money, save carbon emissions and reduce light pollution. I’m all in favour of it. And I doubt crime will increase at all because of it.
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They say that one should know a man by his enemies; on that basis, VOTE COUNCILLOR WALKER! What a guy!
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Christine, thank you for your letter. With regard to your serious allegation of theft, it took a while but I have managed to track down the street lights that you personally fund. You will be pleased to know they are both on the B4396, just outside the village of Knockin, and will not be part of the Church Stretton pilot scheme. In fact, just say the word and I will arrange for them to be switched on during day time too, maybe that will stop all the burglaries that occur during the day.
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Our village does not have any street lights. As there are no street lights there are no groups of children ‘hanging around’. I cannot remember anyone being mugged or attacked. Yes burglaries happen, but they will anywhere.
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Christine, do you feel better for that, is that what your therapist advised, write it all down and get it out, lol
its not a major issue is it, lets face it all the evidence shows when its dark and wet and cold in the winter, people dont go out so crime falls, when its even darker like that even criminals dont have infrared vision and so again crime falls
dont panic it will be OK, keep calm and carry on
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I was walking through some fields last night and there was no lights. In fact it was near pitch black. Nobodys ever been mugged there.
What a silly letter.
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