**Pembrokeshire Council’s Removal of Street Lights Results in £1.5 Million Annual Savings**
A significant change to street lighting provision in Pembrokeshire has reportedly saved the local council £1.5 million each year, but the decision to remove street lights from certain rural areas continues to generate mixed reactions amongst residents and councillors.
During a recent Pembrokeshire Council meeting, the topic was brought into sharp focus as Councillor Michael John voiced residents’ concerns over the ongoing removal of street lights in rural communities. He underscored that many members of the public regularly express their worries that the reduction in lighting could compromise both safety and quality of life, particularly in less populated areas.
Councillor John further questioned the current policy, which dates back nearly two decades. “Given the policy was introduced around 2006, does the Cabinet Member agree it would be a good time for it to be reviewed?” he queried, suggesting that a reassessment might be appropriate in light of changing circumstances and persistent public complaints.
Responding to these concerns, Councillor Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, outlined the criteria that continue to determine whether a street light remains or is removed. These include the frequency of road usage by both pedestrians and vehicles at night, historical accident data, incidents of night-time crime, and local population numbers. The decision to reduce lighting, he explained, arose from recommendations put forward by a former councillor in 2008 and aimed to create a more efficient and targeted approach.
Sinnett detailed how the introduction of cost-effective LED lighting, paired with evidence-led decision making, has allowed the council not only to cut costs but also to reduce carbon emissions. The removal of lights deemed unnecessary by the established criteria contributed largely to the substantive financial savings, the council was told.
While recognising the concerns raised since the implementation of this policy, Councillor Sinnett indicated that the subject could be revisited. He stated that he would support a review of the lighting provision policy by a suitable council scrutiny committee, providing an avenue for community voices to be heard and for any unintended impacts to be addressed.
Despite the criticism from some quarters, Sinnett remained generally positive about the outcome of the policy. Highlighting the benefit to the council’s budget and the contribution towards environmental targets, he said, “It has had some quite positive effects in terms of budget savings and carbon reduction.” He also commended the councillors who originally championed the unpopular but, in his view, necessary changes, adding, “I commend the administration of the time for having the courage to introduce that.”
The debate over street lighting in rural Wales is far from unique to Pembrokeshire, reflecting wider discussions in local authorities regarding the balance between fiscal responsibility, public safety, and environmental stewardship. Many councils across the UK are grappling with similar decisions as they strive to meet ambitious budget and sustainability targets.
Nevertheless, it’s clear there remains a division between those who feel the financial and environmental benefits outweigh the drawbacks, and those who see the removal of lighting as detrimental to rural safety and accessibility. As the policy potentially undergoes further review, Pembrokeshire’s approach could serve as a template for other councils facing similar dilemmas.
The council has yet to announce specific timelines for any formal policy review, but with ongoing pressure from concerned residents, the debate over rural street lighting is unlikely to fade any time soon.