Quiz council on streetlight switch offs

RESIDENTS concerned by the controversial streetlight switch offs in Warwick district will get the chance to quiz council chiefs on Tuesday (January 15).

A Warwickshire County Council’s committee will be reviewing the implementation of its new policy at Shire Hall in Warwick at 10am and the meeting will provide an opportunity for councillors and the general public to ask questions about the new scheme, which was introduced on December 1.

Following several changes already made to the timings of the streetlight switch offs - now from Sunday to Thursday between midnight and 5.30am, and an hour later on a Friday and Saturday night between 1am and 6.30am.

Coun John Whitehouse, chair of the communities overview and scrutiny committee, said: “Elected members want to question the several changes already made to the new scheme within a few weeks of its implementation.

“Responding to public concerns is all very well, but how has this been done and collated, and who has been consulted each time? "What is the early feedback from the police and other public authorities? Just as importantly, do the early results suggest that the energy cost savings targets will be met? It is very important that these and other questions are answered before the roll-out to the rest of Warwickshire starts at the beginning of February.”

Last week the county council defended the changes it had already made to the scheme as a "work in progress", saying public concerns and social media reaction had been well monitored.

The switch to part-night streetlighting operation is set to be implemented in Nuneaton and Bedworth and Rugby on February 1, followed by North Warwickshire and Stratford on April 1.

Questions for the session can be submitted in advance by email to daveabbott@warwickshire.gov.uk or asked on the day at the discretion of the meeting chair.

Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/partnightlighting for more information.

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