Local communities will decide where streetlights will be turned off overnight
22/10/2025
Some areas will be exempt from inclusion for safety reasons
Requests to turn off our streetlights overnight will now be driven by local communities after a backlash led to the previous scheme being rethought.
Local communities in Oxfordshire will now have the option to request that streetlights in their area are switched off during the night from 11.30pm to 5.30am in rural areas and from midnight to 5.30am in urban areas.
Requests must come jointly from the relevant parish or town council and the county councillor for the area.
A number of areas will be exempt from the scheme on safety grounds, such as major junctions, traffic-calmed zones, rail crossings, waterside paths, high-crime areas and places supporting the night-time economy.
Thames Valley Police will assess each proposal using crime and road safety data.
Oxfordshire manages around 60,000 streetlights, and reducing operating hours could lower carbon emissions, cut energy costs and reduce light pollution.
Oxfordshire County Council’s Leader, Councillor Liz Leffman, said: “While there are many places where implementation would not be suitable for safety reasons it’s also important to recognise that for some of our communities there would be positive benefits from this. For instance, reducing light pollution can help improve biodiversity and nature recovery.
“As a result of cabinet’s approval, part-night lighting schemes would only proceed if the community wanted to adopt it. There would be a further public and stakeholder consultation for each scheme.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
Reader's opinions
