Huge swathes of Britain are being plunged into darkness because streetlights are switched off by councils and roads authorities to save money on energy bills and lower carbon emissions. The lights are switched off as early as 9pm despite concerns from safety campaigners and the police that it would lead to an increase in road accidents and crime.
An investigation by The Sunday Telegraph and found that:
- 3,080 miles of motorways and trunk roads in England are now completely unlit;
- a further 47 miles of motorway now have no lights between midnight and 5am;
- out of 134 councils which responded to a survey, 73% said they had switched off or dimmed some lights or were planning to;
- all of England’s 27 county councils have turned off or dimmed street lamps in their areas.
Local authorities say the moves helps reduce energy bills, at a time when energy prices are continuing to rise. Several of the big energy companies have unveiled price hikes in recent weeks.
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