Council postpones decision on Oxfordshire street light reduction

A local authority has deferred a decision regarding the overnight deactivation of the majority of street lights in Oxfordshire, citing a need to gather additional public input. Oxfordshire County Council, which manages approximately 60,000 lights, had previously detailed proposals to operate these lights solely from dusk until 23:00 and from 06:30 until dawn. The council stated that this initiative was “primarily intended and focussed on reducing artificial night-time light,” with a foundational framework scheduled for approval on Thursday. This week, approximately 2,000 individuals endorsed petitions expressing worries about safety. Pete Sudbury, the deputy leader of the county council, confirmed that the specifics of the proposed strategy would no longer be finalized on Thursday, acknowledging that coverage of the plan “set a lot of hares running.” Susan Brown, the leader of Oxford City Council, characterized the proposition as “shocking.” Mary Clarkson, another city councillor, remarked that she was getting ready “for walking around Oxford soon by coming down a black staircase in sunglasses”. According to the county council, postponing the decision would facilitate further consultation with both the public and the police force. Previous stipulations indicated that illumination would be maintained for lights in alleyways, pathways separate from main roads, subways, and those highlighting road features such as speed bumps. Dr. Sudbury explained that “a technical document, which was meant to be a framework on which to base next stages,” was slated for agreement. He further stated, “Unfortunately, it was quite understandably seen as a plan for immediate implementation. As a result, it set a lot of hares running, and I apologise for any upset caused.” He concluded, “I’m grateful to all the people who have written to me and would urge them to speak at the meeting tomorrow because this is a real opportunity to influence how this goes forward.” Matthew Barber, the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, expressed concerns about the proposal last week. On Wednesday, he reported that a petition he initiated to oppose the plan had garnered 1,000 signatures. Readers can connect with BBC Oxfordshire via Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Details on our external linking policy are available.