Lights back on at night in Blyth and Langold after County Hall U-turn

Notts County Council has made the U-turn over its decision to turn off street lights in both communities as part of its county-wide project to save energy costs and cut carbon emissions and light pollution.

The police beat team covering Carlton, Langold and Blyth has recorded a 2.8 per cent reduction in crime in the past year.

But vehicle crime has increased by 75 per cent, with 45 offences in the past year, and burglary of people’s homes is up by one per cent compared to this time last year.

The move followed widespread consultation in both areas with residents, district and parish councils, the police and other emergency services.

County councillor Sheila Place said she was delighted to learn the lights would be back on from Saturday last week.

“This is absolutely fantastic - some people aren’t going to be happy with the news but I know the majority will be,” she said.

“But we have to keep up the fight to get the lights turned back on in Styrrup and Oldcotes, particularly after five burglaries were reported in Styrrup on 20th November.”

Coun Richard Jackson, chairman of the county council’s highways and transport committee, said the authority had consulted widely on the part-night lighting project and listened carefully to people’s concerns.

“We have said all along that we would be taking a flexible approach to the programme and the fact that we are turning lights back on in places like Blyth and Langold demonstrates that we are prepared to respond to any issues and make changes if they are justified,” he said.

The part-night lighting project involves turning many street lights off between midnight and 5.30am in residential areas, dimming some on main roads between 10pm and 7am and switching some off entirely in remote areas.

A risk assessment is done for every light and the most appropriate option introduced for each town, village, suburb or road.  Many lights will not be altered, including those near hospitals, accident black spots or areas with higher than average crime rates.

Lights near bus stops will also remain lit where there is a late night bus service in operation.