Street Light Turn Off - How it Will Affect Aber

Ceredigion Council have drawn up a draft list of street lights to be turned off in April in an effort to both save money and reduce energy usage.

The plans involve turning off most lights outside the very centre of Aberystwyth between midnight and 5am, although lights on main roads will be left on.

In Bronglais ward all streets will be switched off with the exception of Thespian Street, Northgate Street, Penglais Hill, Llanbadarn Road, Caradog Road and Plas Crug Avenue. On the other side of town, all streets to the west of Pier Street and Bridge Street will be switched off. Streets in the central section between Pier Street and North Road will be left on to create a fully lit area in the centre of town.

It is widely believed that street lighting helps to deter crime and certainly the general public report feeling safer with lights on. However there is strong evidence to suggest that it actually makes no difference to crime levels and even some evidence that turning lights off can reduce anti-social behaviour by helping to subtly subdue revellers (http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/crime.html).

A meeting of Community Council representatives across Ceredigion was held last week which broadly endorsed the plans which will cover the whole county. The police will also be consulted before any final decision is made.