Devon County Council to Implement Street Light Dimming Trial for Cost Savings

Devon is set to dim its street lights as part of an initiative to reduce expenditures. This measure involves reducing lighting intensity to 40% at varying intervals throughout the county, excluding main thoroughfares, during a year-long pilot program. According to a report prepared for Devon County Council, the authority is already achieving annual energy bill savings of approximately £6 million, attributed to the adoption of LED lighting, existing dimming practices, and reduced operational hours. The council’s cabinet formally approved the trial on Wednesday, stating that it is expected to decrease the authority’s carbon footprint in addition to lowering expenses. This decision comes after a previous trial conducted in April and May in the areas of Abbotskerswell, Holcombe Rogus, Kingskerswell, and Sidmouth. Stuart Hughes, who serves as the cabinet member for highways at Devon County Council, noted that in his Sidmouth ward, merely two individuals contacted him to report noticing any change during the initial trial period. He further stated, “We’re now going to roll it out to the rest of the county and if it’s anything like what we’ve already seen there will be energy reduction and money saved.” Under the forthcoming trial, lighting in Exeter will be reduced to 40% intensity between 21:30 and 00:30, and again from 05:30 to 06:30. For market towns, lights are scheduled to be dimmed from 20:30 to 00:00 and from 05:30 to 06:30, while in rural areas, the dimming will occur from 19:00 to 00:00 and from 05:30 to 06:30. Currently, lights are switched off between 00:30 and 05:30; this practice will persist in Exeter under the trial, but will commence earlier at 00:00 in market towns and rural areas.