Drive to save money leaves Avon Ring Road in the dark
Lights along the Avon Ring Road are set to be switched off in a trial aimed at saving money and cutting pollution.
South Gloucestershire Council leaders want to switch off many of the lights along the entire length of the A4174 within its boundary from Filton to the border with Bath and North East Somerset.
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Only lights approaching roundabouts and junctions would remain on for safety reasons.
The ring road runs for about 10 miles from the Bristol north fringe to the A4 at Hicks Gate, near Keynsham.
Details of the proposal are still being worked up but it is proposed to turn off a large number of the lights at night, which will slash power bills and carbon dioxide emissions.
South Gloucestershire emitted 1.98 million tonnes of CO2 during 2007 – the most up-to-date figures available.
Heather Goddard, the council's executive member for communities, said: "We have set ourselves ambitious targets to reduce our carbon footprint by three per cent year on year and street lighting energy is a significant contributor to our overall carbon footprint.
"Given that energy prices are projected to keep on rising, we also want to make sure that we keep the cost to the council taxpayer as low as possible.
"It is important to stress that not all lights on the ring road will be switched off. Those on the approaches to major junctions, bends and roundabouts will be left on throughout the night.
"As always, road safety remains a top priority for us so additional inspections will be carried out."
The pilot comes after about two-thirds of street lights were turned off in one South Gloucestershire village as a trial for the district.
Charfield Parish Council agreed more than 170 street lamps could be switched off during the night to save energy and money.
The trial started in the summer, with lights currently going off at about 12.30am and coming back on at 5am.
Latest figures show the electricity bill for the year will be cut by £1,862 a year at current prices, with a saving of 11.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Parish councillor Mike Cheskin said the pilot had been well received generally.
He said: "There appears to be no increase in crime or road accidents as a result of the lights going off so we will carry on."
Mrs Goddard said, depending on the success of the scheme, the authority hoped to roll out the switch-off more widely subject to consultation.
14 Comments
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by martyn, e.g.
Saturday, October 31 2009, 6:53PM
“Yep. Turn them all off. And all the traffic lights too, after say 7:00pm in the evening and at weekends.
And while youre at it, get rid of the stupid bus/priority lanes, used by the one bus an hour and those who don't give a damn.”
by Mark, Bristol
Saturday, October 31 2009, 6:19PM
“Will i receive a tax rebate with all this saving going on? If the council would like me to walk them around Bristol I can show them plenty of pointless lighting. Roads should be lit up to avoid accidents, duh!”
by GARY, bristol
Saturday, October 31 2009, 5:04PM
“if they want to save money on the ring road stop digging it up i think since its been open nothing but roadworks they install traffic lights on a420 roundabout finishes that now working by m32 roundabout then when thats finished theres a sign on ring road longwell green to start roadworks there”
by Steve, Bristol
Saturday, October 31 2009, 4:00PM
“I think this is good, but I hope the road has the cats eyes and other markings you expect on unlit roads”
by James, South West
Saturday, October 31 2009, 12:22PM
“One of the most annoying and potentially dangerous things is where drivers pull over to the offside of the road and stop, leaving their dipped headlights on.
Don't they realise that the camber of the road and the direction the bulbs are angled means they are effectively throwing a full beam in to the path of oncoming drivers?”
by Brian, Bristol
Saturday, October 31 2009, 11:47AM
“Tracy,I cant answer your question,and apparently,nor can anyone else,and what about these morons who drive with both headlights,and fog lights on,in perfectly clear conditions,not to mention those drivers who sit at traffic lights with their high level brake lights on,blinding the following driver,or don't these vehicles have hand brakes?”
by George, Bristol
Saturday, October 31 2009, 11:32AM
“GREAT Idea...
Im sure there are plenty of other roads in Bristol where the ilghts could be turned off. Not just here.
Perhaps, it may even result in motorists driving with more care... Boy racers use this road, apparently. So perhaps they won't drive so fast if they can't see as far in the distance.”
by Tracy, Bristol
Saturday, October 31 2009, 10:13AM
“Sorry,slightly off the subject I know,but could a Police Officer,or anyone else tell me what the law says relating to the use of blue lights on motor vehicles,I see so many, and on Tuesday evening I pulled over to allow a car with flashing blue lights to pass,only to discover it was a boy racer,thankyou.”
by Nigel, Redruth, Cornwall
Saturday, October 31 2009, 10:04AM
“Will the Police monitor the situation and catch those who's headlights break Road Safety rules, with more on the spot fines?”
by Pete, St. Anne's
Saturday, October 31 2009, 9:58AM
“It's about time something was done to cut down on light levels around Bristol.
Only back on August, the BEP reported on Eco-Friendly lighting. The campaign for Dark Skies.
Quote: "Bristol Astronomical Society member and local representative for the campaign, John Meacham, said: "Good lighting depends on lighting units which cast light downwards rather than sending it upwards into the sky where it causes sky glow."
Have a look at the centre of Bristol nowadays. Cabot Circus is surrounded by trees that have uplighters beneath them in the pavement. The new Cinema has lights pointing upward to illuminate a wall.
Then there are the lights that are on all the time when there's no need. The lights at the rear of the Cabot Circus car park in Wellington Road have been on 24/7 for weeks. Guess which way they point?
Switch the lights off and let's have a look at the stars!”