UK towns enact "midnight lights-out" without launching "lighting projects"

Nearly three-quarters of UK local councils have already cut or are considering cutting local street lighting.

　　The "midnight lights-out" policy is being rolled out across streets in rural, suburban and city centre areas in almost every county in the UK, despite concerns from some residents and police that it will increase traffic accidents and crime.

　　Of the 133 local councils surveyed, 98 said they are reducing lighting or plan to do so.

　　All county councils surveyed, as well as several major city local governments, have stated that they are reducing lighting or plan to do so, including Cardiff, Sheffield, Edinburgh, and parts of London.

　　Conversely, most of those without such plans are smaller councils, many of which are only responsible for lighting in areas other than roads, such as parks, parking lots, and sidewalks.

　　Plans to reduce street lighting include both completely turning off some lighting and installing new lighting that can automatically dim or turn off late at night. In some plans, new technology can allow CCTV operators to dim or light up street lamps as needed.

　　The UK Parliament says that "midnight lights-out" can not only save on electricity bills but also reduce energy consumption and emissions. The UK's 7.5 million street lamps cost approximately £500 million annually.

　　Currently, Norfolk is implementing one of the largest such plans, with 3,300 streets in Norwich and rural areas adopting "midnight lights-out," shutting down lighting systems from midnight to 5 AM.

Additionally, more than 5,000 "dimming" lights will be installed on major traffic routes, reducing the lighting intensity by one-third from 8 PM to 5 AM.

The UK Conservative parliament says this measure could save £167,000 per year, but Steven Altman, a Norwich Green Party member, criticized this plan.

He said: "The environmental and economic benefits of this plan have been exaggerated. Many residents are worried that this practice will increase crime and have expressed their opposition."