Light your own homes, say Walsall Council bosses
Families have been told it is their responsibility to light their own homes amid fears a £14 million project to replace street lights in Walsall would leave gardens in darkness.
Residents had raised concerns after hearing the new lights would focus on paths and roads, leaving nearby areas, including homes and gardens, in darkness.
But council bosses say it will make main roads and public footways safer and if people want their homes illuminated, they must do it themselves.
Around 24,600 LED lights will be installed over three years and will provide brighter and more focused light on roads and footpaths, giving a clearer view and preventing light pollution.
At a neighbourhood scrutiny and performance panel meeting, Willenhall North Councillor Ian Shires said: "One issue is that the lamps throw down light on the footpaths and the road but some people initially then felt vulnerable on their doorstep because it was now dark in their gardens."
In response, Steve Pretty, the council's head of engineering and transportation, said: "The key point is that light goes on the highway and we believe that's a better light.
"Arguably it is up to you how you light your house. We are under regulations to make carriageways and footways safe.
"Usually what you see with the sodium lights is just greys everywhere. But with LED you can safely see vehicles, shapes, colours and people. The light is more defined.
"It is more directed at the highway rather than being light going up to the night sky. It will prevent light pollution."
It has also emerged the new technology will have the capability for lights to be dimmed but borough council bosses have categorically stated they will not be doing that.
The neighbourhood scrutiny and performance panel approved the move which paves the way for a full business plan to be drawn up and presented to the council's cabinet members for final approval.
It would follow smaller-scale trials of new LED lighting which have already been put in place in locations across Bloxwich, Leamore and Brownhills.
Street lighting energy makes up more than 30 per cent of Walsall Council's total electricity usage.
In 2014/15 it was estimated to have cost the authority £1.7m – £900,000 more than five years ago.
