G Lancett from Presteigne made the following point in October 2009:
G Lancett:"Can we have them turned on again now that Admiral Kerr moved on? My 83 years old dad can resume his nightly walk to and from the Radnorshire Arms without his torch!"
Trevor Skempton from Llanrhaeadr ym-Mochnant joined the debate in July 2009:
It maybe just my opinion, but I prefer most of the streetlights off, especially late at night. Its great to see the stars again. All of us, particularly the children have been deprived of this pleasure by the blanket cover of sodium lighting for too long. And to those who think that darkness is dangerous: where is the proof? Are rural areas more dangerous than brightly-lit cities?
Silwni from Glynbrochan pointed out the advantages of the lack of streetlighting:
Silwni:"There is too much dependence on artificial lighting and it turns night into surreal day and ruins the night sky. Thanks to the lights being turned off, we get a better night's sleep and the night sky is fantastic to gaze at."
Graham Hadley from Llangynog made the following point in June 2009:
Graham:"The year is 2009, we have come a long way as a species since the stone age, but hang on the lights have been turned off, to save money we are told, all will be better when all the hills of Powys are full of windfarms, free electric for the people, well NO! for with few visitors wanting to see millions of monster windmills, the revenue from tourists will be zero, so up will go the price of pwer to make up this shortfall, stop distroying our land, England have more than enough suitable hills, but the English wouldnt stand it, so the poor welsh will see their landscape and history fade away beneath the monster blades."
Gordon Ames from Norton Presteigne joined the debate in June 2009
Gordon:"I think the turning off of the street lights would be better managed if they were turned off at 12 midnight, the best of all worlds?"
Wendy from Presteigne joined the debate in March 2009:
"I like the streetlights being switched off. There is too much light pollution all over the UK and it's a pity the Local Authorities don't do something similar in the more built up areas. It's great not to see an orange glow as you drive towards Presteigne at night."
Mr Kenny from Ystradgynlais told us how the move had affected him personally in March 2009:
Mr Kenny:"I think it's beyond that the street lights have been turned off outside my house. I can hardly see at night to go on my own path. And there was a young boy in a hooded top looking in all the cars outside the other night. Not only is it a target for thieves but it is also dangerous, and somebody is goin to get hurt and sue the council for every penny they have saved by switching them off. Why don't they turn them off at midnight instead of all the time on these dark winter months. They need to get their priorities right and stop thinking of their big fat pay rises."
Sandra Eaton from West Yorkshire is worried about relatives living in Builth Wells:
Sandra:"Autumn and Winter time brings the dark cold nights home.Only the brave and hard people leave their cosy fireside chairs
to go out into the dark cold evenings in search of company. Don't you think that switching street lights off, will make people more lonely. As they are too afraid to journey out, incase they fall, or are victims of crime? Safety messages are drummed into people for around the home. Such as, don't have too much furniture, around the areas you walk to and from rooms, have bright light bulbs for people with failing sight, so you can see safely around your home.Especially stairways and steps.
My relatives in Builth Wells are both in their 87th year. They fought for britain. Why should they suffer in the darkness?
Why not just switch every other street light off. Don't just put them into darkness. "
Kit Davidson made the following point about manpower in January 2009:
Kit:"Powys only planned to make savings on energy by turning off street lights. It had no plans to reduce street light maintenance or management staff. Less lights - darker nights - same number of jobs for staff. That's alright then."
Abraham Willis from Llandrinio made the following point about media influence in January 2009:
Abraham:"I think that the majority of people are in favour of switching off unnecessary / unwanted street lighting.However I feel that Powys' main local newspaper, The County Times, has run a campaign against this policy. In its pages it seems to give prominence to those who want the street lights turned on again."
Martha from Three Cocks made the following point in January 2009:
Martha:"I think I'm quite enviromentally aware, i turn off plugs and t.v off standby etc but the lights that have been tuned off are in the most stupid places. But even considering that, im all for it, sure some people will have to adapt but change is good partically in this enviromentally aware age."
Paul from Maerdy made a technical point about lighting:
Paul:"Just a technical point. Some people have suggested using low energy bulbs. Street lights do not use tungsten lightbulbs, they (generally) use low pressure sodium vapour lamps. According to Wikipedia, they are the most efficient way of converting electricity into light:
They will be even more efficient than the compact fluorescent "low energy" bulbs in your house."
Sandra from Pennant joined the debate in January 2009:
Sandra:"A proportion of our rates go towards street lighting, therefore if we all claim a rebate if our lights go out the council would not be saving money!
I live in Pennant and we only had one street light anyway and are used to using torches once twilight has come but I know of people in Llandloes who have tumbled becasue street lighting has been turned off early in the evening. If councils have to save money on lighting; a) use energy saving lights - it does work because when we switched over to energy saving lights in our house our bill was reduced by £35 a quarter!! b) Do not turn the lights off until after midnight until say 6 am. I expect that the majority of people are at home during those hours and that would make the situation safer."
Mike Llywelyn Cox from Thurlton in Norfolk asks us to look at the issue from a new perspective:
Mike:"I'm a welsh exile in Norfolk. I' seventy and disabled.We've lived in our village in rural Norfolk since 1984. The natural silky blackness of nightime with absolute unpolluted access to wonderful starry nights when clear was one of the factors which attracted us here. A couple of years ago we had a village survey in which everyone in the village (pop 760, including many elderly and disabled)) was consulted about a range of issues - including the introduction of street lighting. Feelings about this ran high and only one person was in favour!"
Jon Williams from Pennard joined the debate on 19 November 2008:
Jon:"Whilst I emphasise with the elderly and disabled people who are allegedly adversely affected by the reduction of night time lighting, I question the benefits they enjoy at 11,12,1,2`o`clock etc. provision of light polluting, energy wasting lamp standards in mainly rural areas where others, including flora and fauna, feel such provision is an intrusion.
Cars have head lights and most of our tax paying,law abiding citizens enjoy the night skies and, I believe, would prefer less intrusion in our `privilaged` habitats.What benefit is such lighting to the aforementioned group of ageing or otherwise dependant people. It is pollution and prevents people, no matter their level of abilty, from appreciating their environment and surrounding nature after dark. I am sure that a commpromise could be found for each and every situation, dependant on needs !It`s down to cost and consultation !I would like to hear other peoples ideas, am I wrong?"
Philip Glynn from Newtown talked about his personal experience on 16 November 2008:
Philip:"Outside my house 2 lights have been switched off, each side of the pub, so as drivers come round the Crescent island they are met with a black hole. This black hole happens to be where people often attempt to cross the road, so now those people will be taking their lives in their hands. My neighbour is 91, a sprightly old widow who goes out several times a week to bingo, chapel, all at night. She is incensed by the darkness reminding her of the war time which she remembers only too well. Her family who live in North Wales are horrified by the darkness and what it means to their mother.
But if I thought our blackout was bad, I suggest councillors travel down to Vaynor at night and see the black out there. My daughter lives there with our 3 year old granddaughter and she showed me the number of lights switched off there. It is unacceptable that on an estate with a large number of young families it should be pitch black with almost every light switched off.
But Vaynor does not have any Christmas lights, we do, so in 2 weeks we are going to have the ludicrous situation where Powys have switched lights off because of costs yet the 'pretty' Christmas lights will be on.
I have done my own canvassing on this issue, a very small percentage of people admittedly but everyone I spoke to agrees, switch off the Christmas lights, just the ones in Commercial Street and put the street lights back on. Now this will not happen of course, but surely what is more important, having the security of a street reasonably well lit with street lights or the temporary Christmas lights.
Surely it is about time Powys got their act together and changed supplier/ invested in solar panels for these lights.
Meanwhile my 91 year old neighbour will be escorted back home in the dark each time she ventures out, and my granddaughter will grow up knowing this as the time when the lights went out in the street, explain that to a 3 year old, you councillors with your new improved wage packets."
Maggie Eaton from Dolanog pointed out some lighting inconsistencies on 14 November 2008:
Maggie:"If the lights have to go out to save money, then common sense should prevail.
In Llanfair before the Town council intervened, there were areas in total darkness because the lights were not in any sequence. It is OK to cut back but not leaving some areas blacked out. The road linking the centre with one of the bigger housing estates was totally dark, effectively cutting off vulnerable residents.
I noticed in Welshpool that the Raven Island is illuminated like a Christmas Tree but again where the people live it is dark. I don't think that makes sense!"
Laura from Presteigne made the following point on Sunday 9 November 2008:
Laura:"In Newtown last night every street light was on, surely if Powys CC are trying to save money it would have make sense to turn off in the bigger towns first."
Ian Gomm from Llanfair Caereinion raised the following point on 6 November 2008:
Ian:"I would be interested to know how much the interest on the millions of pounds invested by Powys County Council in an Icelandic bank account would have amounted to before it was frozen in the Icelandic bank system collapse? What would this interest been used for? Would it have appeared in the council's annual accounts? It surely would have covered the street lights finance issue and a lot more. Whose bright idea was it to put it in this foreign account, and have they still got their highly paid council job? Have the lunatics really taken over this asylum?"
Ray Austin from Audenshawe made the following innovative suggestion:
Ray:"What about motion censor lighting? As people pass on they come, no movement no lights."
Naomi from Powys joined the debate on 28 October 2008:
Naomi:"I'm a fifteen year old girl who happens to live in an area effected by the change. To be honest when the idea first came around I totally agreed with it due to the need to conserve energy howerev, when the lights were switched off I couldn't help but fall back on my opinion.
The streets from school have become dark, too dark. I am afraid to walk in them when I'm alone as I can't see clearly enough. The most irritating thing is that other streets are lit up like christmas trees.
I am annoyed at the councils take on the issue, especially with the rise in income. This money should be put towards lighting the streets, not into the councillors pockets."
Ian from Ponterwyd made the follwing points about solar power and council funding:
Ian:"Solar powered street lights do not work as the batteries have to be replaced every 3 years, so no saving there. Wind powered are OK when the wind blows, but this is not all the time.
I live in a village that has one 40 watt street light provided by my community council, if I go out after dark I use a torch. If we want to save money turn off all street lights at 12.00 midnight and back on at 5.00am. Remember that Councils can only spend the money they get, mainly from the Welsh Assembly Government, by following strict rules enforced by the same organisation. Don't blame local councils blame the WAG that's where the blame lies."
John McCall from Caersws was also annoyed to hear that county councillors had voted for an increase in their annual allowance by 2.45 percent, but disagreed with Philip Glynn's comments about Christmas lights:
John:"Like Delyth from Mac, it is very disappointing to read about Councillors giving themsleves a 2.45% increase in their remuneration and applaud Cllr Viola Evans and Cllr David Price for taking a stand.
However, we should all recognise too that being a County Councillor can be a full time job and a hinderence on earnings, if the effort is put in and does warrant a reasonable rate of remuneration for the amount of work that is necessary, but that's another debate. When times are hard and we are all suffering from the "Credit Crunch" then we should be looking for altenative ways in reducing expenditure and not increasing it.
I am sorry to say Philip, but it sounds like you could be a real Christmas humbug. The lights are not up for long and Christmas only comes once a year making a little treat for those out and about and acts as a reminder about this very special and important time of year. I for one enjoy seeing the lights, not only in the towns, but all around as some people put a lot of time and effort into their displays.
Is there a simple answer to the question of street lighting? I think not and that something which is so untested is going to need a caring and mindful ear to the needs of the community and the tax payers."
Catherine from Rhayader sugggests a third way solution:
Catherine:"Surely there is a middle way? In Rhayader, nearly all the lights are on along the main streets, two out of 3 are off in Cwmdauddwr, and the side streets are a complete blackout! There should be a way of having one or two on in each street, and every other lamp off in the main streets? Please can the council get solar powered lights. I can see no reason at all to have all the lights on all night anywhere. As long as there are one or two on for the odd person who needs to walk home very late, or go to work very early. Most people can manage to find a torch in the country villages, why not in town too? They do not need to be on between 2 and 5am surely? that would make great savings.
Delyth Humphreys from Machynlleth joined the debate on 25 October 2008:
Delyth:"The people of Machynlleth are all very upset that the lights have been switched off and also that the county councillors have given themselves a pay rise is that why they wanted to save money? We should all get together and insist on a reduced council tax."
Philip Glynn from Newtown suggests that Christmas lights could be cancelled this year:
Philip:"
I have read all the many comments about street lights being switched off, and no one has picked up on the subject of the Christmas Lights. In Newtown they are being put up each weekend from now, and last Monday/Tuesday a few were left on.
Now if we are to be deprived of street lights, how about not turning on the Christmas lights, better still don't put them up at all.
We are now in recession, so the media tell us, so surely this is one expense we can do without for this year at least."
John McCall from Caersws made several points in his contribution to the debate:
John:"Its a shame that PCC need to cut the street lighting, however, money does not grow on trees and has to come from somewhere to fund all of our services. Perhaps an increase in Council Tax!
What ceases to amaze me though is the enormous salary disparity across the council and the belief that everyone has a "Living Wage", with those close to and at the top getting ridiculous salary settlements. However, we must all take nto account too the recent strikes over the pay settlements. Do they not realise that the money to fund this has got to come from somewhere? I was astounded one day to be shown that equipment, in perfect working order, still within warranty, was being thrown out to a skip!!! Who in their right mind throws away equipment still under warranty or seeks to spend its budget on usless and non essential items at the end of the financial year in fear of losing some the next?
Recently, we had the Powys Update magazine through our doors. How many street lights will the total cost for this non essential item re-light?
Like Brian and others, energy saving measures could be applied further, however, I don't believe a lot of thought was put into which lights to turn off, especially where there is elderly / disbaled sheltered housing, or in areas where the more vulnerable of our society need to be. Joanna wonders why an elderly person would want to be out after midnight? Why not? Maybe the cat has gone missing or the rubbish needs to be put out. But why then provide lighting to homes of the wealthier instead, as in some of the villages off the trunk route?
Whilst I disagree with the cutting of lighting. Money has got to be found from somewhere and that should seriously start from within. "
Brian R Evans from Brecon, like others, believes that energy saving bulbs could be the answer.
Brian:"There must be an alternative to switching the street lighting of at night. How about investing in the technology that this government advocates eg; energy bulbs with down lighting. I dont think that we have this in BRECON, Powys."
David Hankey from Great Easton, Leicestershire believes the local authority should make in-house savings.
David:"This really is a return to, sorry for the pun, the Dark Ages. Couple of points. Has the Council looked into switching suppliers to try and get a more competitive price? It will have an adverse effect on crime figures as villains will find it easier to skulk around in the dark to commit their felonies.Surely, there are far more ways in which Councils could reduce their expenditure, reviewing their allowances for a start!!"
Jean from Machynlleth contacted us on 18 October 2008, a week before the clocks go back for the winter months.
Jean:"I cannot believe the amount of people who agree with the "switching off ". I notice the majority don't live in Powys .Why can't they switch off at 11 or 12 midnight instead of not switching on at all.Believe me, it is bad round here...and it will be worse when the clocks"go back" in a fortnight.We don't all have cars that will get us safely home from work /school in the evenings.No doubt the brains behind this idea live in their nice houses on a main road which is permanently lit up from 6pm .Think again Powys.
Carol Handcock from Machynlleth claims fly tipping could be on the increase as a result of the swith off.
Carol:"The street lights in the area where I live in Machynlleth were turned off for the first time on monday October 13th, that very same night 15 carpet tiles were fly-tipped alongside a pathway leading off the bottom of Ffordd mynydd griffiths hill, an area which is usually well lit, but now in pitch blackness.What else I wonder is going to happen? The elderly falling, burgalaries,assaults,this is such a crazy ill thought-out decision.Why can`t the existing lamps be replaced by low energy bulbs, the council would then save more cash than the savings being made."
Gareth Pritchard from Henfield shed some light on perceived links between good street lighting and crime reduction>
Gareth:"The link between good lighting and crime reduction comes from Home Office reports and the work of criminologists such as Kate Painter and Ken Pease OBE."
David Conner from Leicester asks for evidence that 'lighting reduces crime'.
David:"There is obvious concern that turning off street lights will have an effect on the crime rate. However, there is little, if any, hard evidence that it is effective at reducing the levels of crime. (Perception of crime and fear of crime are separate issues.) I stand to be corrected, but predict that no-one will be able to cite references to research proving that 'lighting reduces crime', however strongly people feel that it does."
Gareth Pritchard from Henfield advocates the use of modern technology to solve the problem:
Gareth:"It has been proven that street lighting reduces accidents, crime and fear of crime. It's also worth pointing out that the technology is here now to control street lighting so it can be remotely dimmed, and switched on and off, as well as using even more efficient light sources to reduce energy and light pollution further (more information from HEMSA). Councils should look to "Investing to Save" first - for the long term good of residents and the earth, rather than adopting a knee-jerk reaction to increasing energy costs without proper consultation. Incidentally, the money Powys allegedly invested in Icelandic banks would have paid for the energy increase for the next 16 years. Finally - are they going to adopt the same switching off process for housing and care homes - I think not!"
Phil Allitt from Llanegryn supports the cuts
Phil:"Most of the United Kingdom has only partial or NO street lighting in villages that aren't on major routes. Why is it that when some one suggests some of the "full" lighting in our lovely Welsh villages should be reduced there is such an outcry? The very ederly who have always lived in our villages had far less lighting years ago. I'm sure a reduction in lighting wouldn't bother young people very much. Numerous homes have "security" lighting and most crime is actually committed in day light hours. The issue of the partially sighted lady in Powys is hardly typical and special support will most certainly be available to her. In villages in Gwynedd there would still be far too much illumination if every other light was removed.. What's the big deal?
If ANYONE living in Gwynedd shares my views, PLEASE get in touch as we must work to change the mind set here! This is a beautiful county and we need to do all we can to stop the urbanisation of our villages!"
Linda Bedford from Batley suggets an alternative streelighting route:
Linda:"What's wrong with making street lights which are solar powered surely they could be replaced in stages as new ones are put in or broken ones replaced. I can foresee nothing but accidents, crime and misery from no lights at all."
D Williams from Builth Wells agrees with Linda Bedford.
D Wiliams:"So what are they going to spend the money on that they save? And why don't they put up wind generated light or solar power ones free power then or will they just tax us on wind and daylight.
Kenny from Machynlleth believes Powys Council could make savings by making less new appointments:
Kenny:"So, Powys County Council is turning off the street lights off all over the county. On top of this local Bus Services are under consideration to end, and of course Schools have closed not to mention other services are being curtailed, again because apparently the Council cannot afford them.
Recently I looked at the Powys County Council job vacancies and I believe found part of the reason all of our services are suffering.
For instance the Council are looking to recruit a 'Reward Advisor' for an annual salary of £30,000 to £33,000 (£576 a week starting). A 'Recruitment Manager' for £36,000 to £39,000 (£692 a week) a 'Principal HR Adviser' for £36,000 to £39,000 (£692). which is £105,000 a year total.
Also, that there is a 'Generous Relocation Package'. So no expense spared there then?
On top of this the Council want a 'Learning Pathways Manager' for £47,000 to £50,000 (£903 a week starting), an ICT adviser for £22,845 (£439 a week) not forgetting six, yes SIX Senior Social Workers each for a Salary of £26,067 to £33,291 ((£501 a week starting) for a grand total of £156,402 a year.
I wonder how many of your readers take home these sort of Salaries? Not many I bet.
This makes an overall spend every year of well over £328,247. Cancel this lot and we have the lights kept on and the local buses kept running.
However, I am willing to bet that I have only scratched the surface in respect of this scandalous waste of OUR hard earned cash.
No doubt these 'none jobs' also come with a generous Pension Scheme enabling retirement far earlier than people living outside of this 'Cocoon' called Powys County Council.
They say that the roles of Recruitment Manager and Reward Adviser are NEWLY CREATED in response to a need to refocus capacity in these crucial areas. Crucial for who I might ask?
I am outraged that the Council is breeding like rabbits at a time of growing Redundancies in the Private Sector and the Global Financial Crisis. What with rising food, utility and rising council tax bills etc. for us mortals here in the real world this dire waste of Public Money has to end. The Council is obviously living on a different planet to the rest of us. How dare they!"
Michael Fisher from Shevington considers the third way:
Michael:"Is there no middle way regarding street lights?
People need to be save at night, astronomers need to see the sky, everyone needs to save money, so why not councils?
They could save money by using street lights which light up the roads but not the heavens."
David Oliver from Bridgnorth had this to say about the topic:
David:"Maybe the councils should look at how they spend our money before making decisions on our behalf.
we pay them and pay towards the upkeep of our area so they should have to ask us before making such a big chance to living standards."
Joanna Bates voiced her discontent after the story was featured on BBC News on 14 October 2008:
Joanna:"I was annoyed at the BBC news report from Knighton this morning showing a partially sighted, elderly woman on crutches - what would she be doing outside after midnight in the dark of Autumn in her state of health? We must all make wise decisions based on our own personal situations. This kind of item only gives rise to more complaining from people who should be willing to make room for a decision that benefits the greater good - where is people's community spirit? Well done PCC for saving money and the environment!"
Angela from Dublin made the following point:
Angela:"What about safety? These streets need to be lit to a certain lux in order for them to be safe at night. Will the crime rate be observed during this year? I don't think completely switching off street lights is the answer."
Nigel from Gravesend made this pungent point in October 2008:
Nigel:"Can you tell me if the street lights get switch of will we get a reduction on the poll tax, or is it just for a money making project to get some money back for the poor invesment in Icelandic backs that went wrong."
Paul Mason from Mansfield Woodhouse is not the idea's greatest supporter:
Paul:"Mansfield District Council have allowed a great big pretentious Ferris Wheel to be parked upon its market place for the next four weeks which is lucky to see two punters ride on it in half an hour and is using goodness knows what amount of energy. I would sooner see better street lighting than these pretentious ideas."
Orit from Connah's Quay made this point in October 2008:
Orit:"What a good idea to switch off street lights. However, we need to keep to a certain time, say 09:00 as there is no reason for anyone to be out after that time."
Mrs Charlwood from Sennybridge joined the debated in October 2008
Mrs Charlwood:" I am a registered member of the Parkinsons Disease society and have intermittant trouble with balance. I park my car outside the house and have a short walk to the front door. This used not to be a problem. But now I find it increasingly difficult to go out in the evenings, as the street light outside my house has been turned off. It is now pitch black. My neighbours are having difficulty also as they are well in their 70's Is there anything that can be done."
Lloyd from Llandrindod Wells voiced his concerns on 7 October 2008:
Lloyd:"I think that some people who live in small villages and in the country forget that night crime occurs quite often in the larger towns in this area. I live near Temple Drive in Llandrindod, and local residents know that this area can be quite bad for vandalism and other crimes. Can anyone remember when around 40 vehicles in this and surrounding areas had there tires slashed? With most of the street lights turned off, I'm afraid I can only predict a very "dark" future. I hope that I am wrong."
Phil Allitt from Llanegryn near Tywyn joined the debate in October 2008:
Phil:"Reducing street lighting is a great idea- especially in small villages which are not on major roads. Despite many efforts to do so, my words fall on deaf ears here in Gwtynedd where the "full" lighting policy which applies to cities and towns is applied to villages and hamlets no matter how small.
If 2 out of 3 lights were removed we'd hardly notice- but the authority have no plans to do this. Look forward to your big council tax rise everyone."
Graham Hunt from Bwlch-y-Cibau took the following stance:
"It is lovely to be able to see the night sky in all its glory once again."
Susan Clapham from Garth believes that the decision to make the energy saving was rushed:
Susan:"In principle I support energy saving measures, especially if savings are passed on to residents. BUT, not in the way that Powys council has conducted them. There was no consultation and no dissemination of information of the plans to residents from the council. In Garth, there is only a small block of street lights operating near the main road, which means that anyone arriving at the train station after dark has no lighting at all along most of the road to the rest of the village. If they had turned off every other or every 2 out of 3 lights, it would have been better than a total blackout. To my mind it was far too hasty a decision and a consultation process with local residents should have taken place."
Ann from Llandrindod Wells voiced her concerns in September 2008.
Anna:"The people that made the decision to switch off 2 in 3 street lights should walk the streets to see for themselves how dark and unnerving it is. We've already had one car stolen, what has to happen for commensense to prevail? The ordinary person on the street can see how much money is wasted by PCC in other sections, why can't they?"
Laura from Erwood sent us this comment in September 2008:
"I was very disapointed to read the BBC news article which implies many are totally against the councils new policy to reduce light pollution and energy usage (of course as well as costs, like all of us at the present time). I think the Council should be congratulated for firing ahead with this policy. I know of many residents who have contacted the council to request some of their own street lights to be turned off. The policy on which lights qualify can be discussed and should there be a safety reason why they should be left on (such as a traffic calming measure needing highlighting) then they most certainly are. I think the concept of us all being plunged into darkness before too long is pure nonsense and I for one enjoy the star filled skies of Powys which those in towns and cities filled with light pollution rarely see!"
John Jeffreys from Llandrindod Wells told us his views in September 2008:
"I lived through WWII and even though a blackout was imposed street lights were not turned off. We are not at war now so the council needs to re-think what appears to have been an undemocratic decision. As the decision was taken in principle before the recent council elections the councillors were then elected on a fraudulent prospectus and should do the honourable thing and resign."
Hydda Medras from Brecon joined the debate on 25 April 2008:
Hydda:"Fantastic idea - You can start by taking the one away outside our village, there are three in total and if we get more than 5 cars a night going past its a traffic jam... its a simple step we can take to help save just a little."
Deirdre from Taliesin calls for widening the area of light dimming:
Deirdre:"I hope Powys decide to remove and dim lights wherever suitable and I hope they go further, dimming lights on trunk roads after midnight. Most of these roads arent busy with cars or people then. What are these lights for except to keep people awake who live on these trunk roads. It is a joy to be able to see the stars. Removing and dimming these lights will save fossil fuels,money and would improve my quality of life. I hope Ceredigion follow suit."
In April 2008 Malcolm Probert from Llandrindod Wells threw down the gauntlet to Powys County Council:
Malcolm:"In the item ( on bbc.co.uk ) it states that, up to 1100 tonnes of CO2 could be saved. That 'sounds' good. I arrived home today (21 April) to find a copy of Red Kite - Powys County Councils magazine for all residents. In the article on page 9 it states " The lights are powered by non fossil fuel power ". Now, PCC, which is it ?"
...and here's Powys County Council's response:
"We have signed up to a green tariff that guarantees that a percentage of our power is from a green source. The Red Kite feature was too simplistic saying streetlights are powered from green sources, all electricity comes from the national grid but as I said a guaranteed part of that is from non-fossil sources. Green power does have a carbon output so by reducing lights we will reduce carbon footprint."
Susie from Builth Wells also supports the move:
Susie:"I live in Builth and think that it is an excellent idea to switch off every other stret light on small residential roads and cul de sacs, which are little used by pedestrians late at night. If you're in a car, you use headlights anyway. It would be lovely to have no sodium glare at all. Personally, I think all lights in those residential areas could be switched off between midnight and dawn."
Sheila Turner from Aberystwyth made this suggestion in April 2008:
Sheila:"Whilst I feel that savings could be made, perhaps the appropriate department should get their house in order by fixing the lights that remain on all day, I'm sure a saving could be made here.
I live in Aberystwyth at it is the same here, street lights on all day in various locations."
Jeremy Arter from Hereford supports the council's decision:
"Hooray - we'll be able to see the magic of the constellations without the needless light pollution that spoils the wonderful, dynamic panorama of the sky at night!"
