Like many other local authorities, we are facing funding pressures and so, following a trial - where no discernible difference was noticed - we started implementing additional dimming on more than 18,000 streetlights in February 2024.
The streetlights initially operate at their full designed output level every evening before being reduced at 10.00pm. Where possible, and within the regulations, the lights then reduce again at 12.00am (midnight) and then revert back up to their full designed output level at 5.00am until being switched off.
This is expected to achieve up to 25 per cent saving in energy use on the streetlights concerned.
Please note: Approximately 7,000 street lights were excluded from the programme because they illuminate main roads, junctions and pedestrian crossings.
More modern LED street lights can be controlled so that their design output can be adjusted throughout certain times of the night by using the Central Management System Telensa.
Like many other local authorities, we are facing funding pressures. Lowering the output of suitable streetlights will save energy costs. Introducing adaptive lighting is expected to save up to 26 per cent in energy on the street lights concerned.
There are currently no plans to switch off street lights instead
We have currently identified and implemented adaptive lighting on more than 18,000 street lights (March 2024). The situation will be continually monitored and reviewed.
Around 7,000 of the new street lights were not included in the roll out of adaptive lighting because they illuminate main roads, junctions, pedestrian crossings and significant night time activity. Older LED’s and streetlight still fitted with older low-pressure sodium (emitting orange light) lanterns do not contain modern technology so cannot be dimmed. The older low-pressure lights/columns have more complex solutions in order to upgrade them and along with the older LED lights will be gradually updated with lanterns that can have adaptive lighting applied in the future.
Suitable streetlights have been identified across the whole of the borough, in every ward.
Where it is possible to apply adaptive lighting to a street light, it will initially turn on and operate at its full designed output level every evening. The lights will then reduce further at 10.00pm. Where possible, the lights will then reduce again at 12.0am (midnight) and then revert back up to their full design output level at 5.00am until being switched off.
Yes. Introducing adaptive lighting is expected to save up to 25 per cent in energy on the street lights concerned contributing to our priority to achieve net zero.
During the trials, there was no perceptible difference when the adaptive lighting was applied and, as lighting is not being removed or turned off, it was not considered necessary to hold public consultation regarding the proposal.
Adaptive lighting will be implemented in the hours when less people are moving around. In addition, 7,000 street lights were excluded because they illuminate main roads, junctions, pedestrian crossings and areas with significant night time activity.
Adaptive lighting will only be implemented where suitable and when less people are moving around.
You can search for:
BS 5489-1:2020 - Code of practice for the design of road lighting. Lighting of roads and public amenity areas.
BS EN 13201:2015 - Road lighting. Calculation of performance.
PD CEN/TR 13201-1:2014 31 Dec 2014 - Road lighting. Guidelines on selection of lighting classes.
The cost of energy has increased significantly since the LED upgrade project. The capacity to implement adaptive lighting was built in to the units chosen.
You can search for your road in the following list: