Shropshire Star

Safety concerns over Market Drayton street light switch-off

Switching off street lights in Market Drayton has left residents fearing for their safety, according to the town's mayor.

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People in Market Drayton have said they now worry about walking home after work at night, after Shropshire Council's energy-saving scheme was rolled out across the town earlier this week.

The initiative to save carbon and energy costs is under way across the county with about 12,500 street lights in the process of being converted to part-night lighting.

With the lights switching off from midnight until 5.30am, many have now spoken out that they fear it could be dangerous when walking home late at late.

Mayor of Market Drayton Tim Beckett said: "The feedback I get from the town is negative.

"They understand about saving money and no point in having lights on all night but everyone I have spoken to said there are two alternatives – shut every other light off or put dimmer lower wattage bulbs in. No one agrees it should be total darkness.

"It will be interesting to see how it does affect the crime figures as a total dark street is ideal conditions for burglaries.

"Ironically, I was talking to a man from Shrewsbury where they already turn the lights off between midnight and 5am.

"He said it is horrible – like being in the war where they had total blackouts, he said it is very scary and he doesn't feel safe.

"Unfortunately we will experience the same at Market Drayton."

But Shropshire Council and police have said that there is no evidence to suggest the switchover has increased crime at all.

Inspector Simon Lewis from West Mercia Police said: "We understand that following the change to the street lights in the area that there is a perception amongst the community that crime has increased, however that is not the case.

"Examples from other areas across the country have actually shown a reduction in crime following a change in the use of street lights.

"That being said, our communities can be rest assured that we will not be complacent and that we, of course, continue to patrol in the area to provide reassurance and to be proactive in preventing and detecting crime."

Lights in Oswestry, Shrewsbury and south Shropshire have already been converted as part of the project that started in April 2012, and it was announced earlier this week that south Shropshire would also see the conversion from late September.

Claire Wild, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for highways, added: "We worked closely with the police when deciding the lights to be included in our programme and the police are continuing to closely monitor the areas converted.

"The scheme was trialled in Church Stretton for 12 months prior to the rollout with no ill effects and, as always, any crime should be reported to the police to help them."

However, the move has also proved unpopular on the Market Drayton community Facebook page, the Drayton Crier.

Nathan Johnson-Farnell said: "I know this is for economical reasons and for the saving of electric but doesn't this make safety a lot more at risk?

"Surely the safety of our town is more important than a bit of electricity?"

Mr Johnson-Farnell also supported the suggestion to have a structure of every other light left on.

Another resident, Sian Rushton said: "I was walking home the other night and couldn't see my hand in front of my face – it's mad."

The council has said it takes 7.7 million kilowatt-hours of power, and 3,490 tons of carbon, to run its 18,900 street lights, illuminated signs and traffic signals every year – the equivalent of powering about 2,600 homes.

It added that converting 12,500 of lights to part-night lighting would reduce energy use by 20 per cent, saving of 1.56 million kilowatt-hours of power and almost 812 tons of carbon.

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