Streetlighting decision rushed through
January 25, 2010 3:44 PM
Norfolk County Council's Cabinet today agreed to go ahead with plans to switch off streetlights in residential streets between 12 midnight and 5am.
Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Norwich South, managed a consultation with Norwich residents which received nearly 300 responses and which was delivered to Cabinet members last week. Mr Wright attended today's meeting and speaking afterwards said:
"I'm very disappointed with the way in which this decision has been rushed through. While there are some merits to the proposal, there are also a huge range of concerns and suggestions that members of the public have made that were worthy of further investigation.
"The discussions in the meeting barely constituted a debate. In little more than fifteen minutes, councillors brushed aside the huge range of concerns and agreed to go ahead without a trial and without proper consultation.
"I attended the meeting in the hope that the comments made by those who live in Norwich and which were represented in my consultation would be fully discussed, but this didn't happen. It appeared that the decision had been made before the meeting even started.
"Many people who took part in my consultation raised concerns over possible increases in crime and risks to personal safety.
"While the Council claim that emissions will be saved, this plan will actually only cut 10pc of emissions that streetlighting accounts for. If, as a result, people feel less safe walking or cycling around there is a real danger that car use will increase during the night. While the Council's carbon balance sheet may well be reduced, it remains to be seen what the overall impact will be.
"It is a mistake for the Council to press ahead without having considered these points, and I fear that in their haste to make a quick decision signifant factors have been neglected."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Simon Wright
- Facebook:
- Simon Wright
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats