Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will issue guidance to local authorities when considering cost-saving measures that they should make an assessment of the potential effect on (a) road safety and (b) safety of pedestrians of turning off street lighting.

Local highway authorities such as East Riding of Yorkshire Council, have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the public highways in their charge, including street lighting. Authorities do not have a duty to light their network but, where lighting has been provided, have a duty to maintain it.

Whilst it is for each local highway authority to decide the level of service they wish their street lighting network to deliver, it is important that local authorities consider the safety implications, cost, and environmental savings before reducing the hours of operation, or dimming lighting levels within their area. The Department advises councils to monitor the impacts following any street lighting reduction to ensure they can reverse any changes if the need arises. Local authorities should also liaise closely with the emergency services, community safety, and other key partners when considering their lighting needs and policy.