From Monday (13 February), five residential areas of Slough will be taking part in a trial to see the effects of dimming the streetlights on their streets.
The trial is part of a bid to make savings in the borough’s electricity bill and inform a new streetlighting policy which, in the future, could see more areas having slightly different lighting levels.
The five areas chosen for the trial are:
- Rochfords Gardens and Goodman Park estates
- Maplin Park
- Colnbrook
- Part of Cippenham Green
- Northern part of Britwell
The areas have been chosen as they are discrete residential areas, not affected by any overspill lighting from the M4 and do not include shopping areas, major road junctions and public transport hubs which need to be assessed separately.
In Slough currently, all the 13,000 streetlights run at 70 per cent of their total power.
During the trial, the 949 streetlights in the chosen areas will be changed to variety of levels to see the effects, however no streetlights will be turned off completely.
Parks in the trial areas will not be affected with the lights remaining at their current levels.
Phase one of the trial will run from 13 February to 25 March when British Summer Time begins.
There will then be a phase two from 26 March onwards.
Councillor Mohammed Nazir, lead member for transport and the local environment, said: “We all know our use of electricity – created in the main from fossil fuels – has a detrimental impact on the environment locally, nationally and globally.
“And with electricity being more expensive than ever before and energy bills being a major part of the cost of living crisis this trial is very important.
“By just dimming lights in some areas during the trial it is expected to knock tens of thousands of pounds off the borough’s electricity bill so think about how much could be saved if the trials are successful.
“At no point will we be switching off any of the borough’s streetlights and lights in parks, shopping areas and transport hubs will not change.
“Of course, we will be monitoring the areas very closely, engaging with the emergency services to ensure there is no detrimental impact on their work – in particular the police around any difference in levels of crime and antisocial behaviour.
“And residents are welcome to tell us their experiences of having slightly dimmer lights – if they notice any difference at all.”
During the trial, the areas chosen will also be checked for any streetlights that are not currently working and this considered in reporting.
Contact illuminations@slough.gov.uk to give feedback on the trial.
