Opposition survey finds that 106 out of 150 English councils are turning off or dimming streetlights in response to spending cuts

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Large areas of England are being “plunged into darkness” as a direct result of government spending cuts, according to the Labour party, after a survey found that 75% of councils were turning off or dimming streetlights to save money.

Hilary Benn, the shadow communities secretary, suggested that the safety of people walking in the dark could be put at risk by the money saving measures.

Labour found that 50 out of the 141 English councils that responded to its survey were switching off some streetlights, while 56 were dimming some, 42 councils were taking both measures and 35 councils were doing neither.

The survey revealed that of the 5.7m streetlights across the 141 councils, 558,000 were being switched off overnight, an eight-fold increase compared with 69,000 in May 2010, while 797,000 streetlights were being dimmed, compared with 79,000 in May 2010.

The survey also found a ninefold increase in the number of street lights which are either switched off or dimmed at night – from 148,000 in May 2010 to 1.36m.

Tory councils are more likely to switch off or dim lights. The survey says 29% of streetlights are switched off or dimmed in Tory areas compared with 13% in Labour ones.

Benn said: “Streetlights ensure that people are safe on our roads and feel safe walking home, especially at this time of the year when the nights have drawn in.

“Our research shows, however, that significant areas of Britain have been plunged into darkness since May 2010 as a result of David Cameron and Eric Pickles’ policies.

“[They]need to tell their shire councils to get their act together and do what forward-thinking authorities are already doing by investing in new technologies like LED lights to save money on electricity bills and keep residents safe.”

Benn added: “Eric Pickles has even boasted that he ‘loves’ switching off streetlights, which will do nothing to reassure people walking home in the dark.

Earlier this year, the communities secretary criticised Tory councillors in Basildon, Essex who wanted the party’s members on Essex county council to put streetlights back on.

“In a time when we are on the cusp with regards to our electricity supply, we can’t have lights burning all night on the off chance someone wants to get out and do aerobics at 3am,” Pickles said.

“I love it because I am economy-minded. It’s saving a phenomenal amount of money, it’s decreased crime because burglars love ambient lighting, it’s nice to see the night sky and, as someone who lives in a main street that has had its lights cut off, I can get a good night’s sleep.”

A few weeks later, police demanded the streetlights be switched back on because there had been a spate of burglaries.