The next phase of works to cut carbon emissions and costs, by switching off some street lights is scheduled to begin shortly.
Cheshire East Council plans to introduce a 'Part Night' operation into residential areas across the Borough this winter - to realise further savings as part of its carbon reduction programme.
Following trials, the Council modified its plans so that every other light will be switched off between midnight and 5.30am, to avoid whole areas being switched off over night.
The second phrase also includes 'trimming' the operation of some street lights so they switch-on later and switch off earlier switch-off, controlled by the ambient light levels, which could realise approximately one hour of savings every day.
It is estimated that the second phase of works will change the operation of a further 6,700 street lights (3,300 to Part Night and 3,400 trimmed).
Councillor David Topping, Cabinet member in charge of the environment, said: "Cheshire East Council is making changes to street lighting as part of its efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce light pollution and save money whilst keeping the safety of Cheshire East residents very much in mind.
"Following successful trials and consultations, phased operations commenced at the end of 2012 to adjust around 1,700 lights, which equates to 4.5 per cent of all lights in the Borough.
"Of these, 700 have been switched off; these lights are mainly on inter-urban routes with lights at junctions or intersections remaining. Around 1,000 lights have been dimmed to approximately 60 per cent of normal strength - not a noticeable difference to the naked eye.
"Phase Two of the operation is due to start this winter once planning, information briefing and operational details are complete. Sessions have been held with local members to inform them of the impact of these changes on their areas. Members, parish and town councils and residents will be updated in advance of operations starting.
"Currently the plan for Phase Two is to introduce part night lighting to around 3,300 'alternate' lights between 12 midnight and 5.30am in residential areas across the Borough. This equates to less than 10 per cent of the 38,000 Council-operated street lights.
"In addition, approximately 3,400 lights will be 'trimmed'. This is where light sensors are set to switch at predetermined levels meaning lights come on a bit later and go off slightly earlier saving around one hour per day, per lamp. Also, a number of lights will be dimmed.
"The safety and wellbeing of residents and motorists is always a prime consideration and we continue to work closely with the fire and police services to ensure this is achieved. We will be taking into account areas where anti-social behaviour is prevalent as well as sheltered accommodation."
The Council estimates that the annual carbon and energy savings for changes made to date are 322 tonnes and £60,000 for energy. The annual savings relating to carbon and energy for the proposed changes are estimated at approximately 260 tonnes and £50,000 per year respectively.
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1. The junction of Eaton Drive with Ryleys lane
2. On Ryleys Lane with the junction to Redesmere Lane
3 and 4. On London Road near the Railway Bridge and the Ryleys Lane island.
As they are at crucial junctions for schools, they need to be fixed.
Now all get in your cars and take your garden rubbish to the tip.
Cost cutting at the expense of public safety.
I am not sure you are taking this seriously. It feels unfair when a taxpayer joins the dots and compares actions and edicts from the Council / Public Service.
However, the Council is working towards cutting carbon emissions - so every house driving to the tip several times a week is environmentally friendly? Doesn’t work does it?
Keep your leaves as a compost? Only works for a very few people, and a fair proportion of them have gardeners who take the cuttings away! Doesn’t work for most of us does it?
Cost cutting is important, of course it is. But the Council lost £850,000 on Lyme green (aborting a new waste transfer station), then £250,000 on a legal review of what happened in Lyme Green. And yet, the recycling which was to have been dealt with at Lyme Green has to be dealt with by shipping it to…. where? How much does it cost to ship our recycling from Macclesfield to Liverpool/The Wirral? Last time I looked it was £30,000 per week. So the savings from shutting off the green bin for 4 months will be £120,000 - or 4 weeks of the recycling money.
What is the plan for recycling? How long before we all have to take our recycling in our cars to the tip? Or even, to the tip in a neighbouring authority?
Is 'carbon emissions' a real reason or is it just all down to cost cutting. Public safety should come before everything.
I can see them starting it at midnight and then slowly letting it creep to say 10pm. I don't think every street light needs to be on all night but midnight to 5am is about right IMO.
The funny thing with this round of cost cuts will be what's to follow.
The grand turning on of Christmas lights every where.
Frank,
Was this not during the watch of your colleagues Michael Jones and Wesley Fitzgerald? Has the cost of Lyme Green not already gone above £2million?
What about the massive potholes reappearing on South Street, just outside The Yard ?
Once again, poor judgement by the Council when they authorised the potholes around that area to be patched-up instead of being fully repaired.
When are we going to get a correct decision from these overpaid Councillors ?
Instead of making goofy decisions like patching things up, why can't they do the job properly and re-tarmac the whole road, thus, in the long-term, a cost saving in it's own right !
I despair (yet again) !!!