Opposition Welcomes Ealing's Policy Change on Street Lighting
Policy of dimming lights to be reversed after Lib Dem campaign
Liberal Democrat councillor Connie Hersch
The Liberal Democrat opposition is claiming victory in its campaign for improved street lighting in the borough after an apparent u-turn by the council.
The Labour-controlled administration introduced a policy of dimming street lights in 2016 but the Lib Dems claimed this didn’t save much money and compromised safety for residents.
The party made it one of its key campaign pledges in the local elections this May and set up an online petition when the council refused to reconsider the policy.
Although the council hasn’t formally announced a change in policy, in a report entitled, “A Safer Ealing for Women – Action Plan’ which was based on a survey of 3,000 women and girls in the borough, a commitment is made to improving streetlighting after 93% of respondents said it would make them feel safer. The documents states that the lighting on all residential roads will be increased in October and £2.1million is to be spent on improved lighting including an upgrade to 3,100 street light columns to LED. The installation of motion sensor to increase ‘on demand’ lighting at key locations is to be considered.
Councillor Connie Hersch, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Crime, anti-social behaviour, community services and town centres, said, "Liberal Democrats conducted our own survey in March 2021 and we uncovered that people wanted to see the light dimming done by Labour reversed as well as the local police teams working with the Council to help reduce the fear of crime. Liberal Democrats are glad that Ealing Council have finally listened to us and residents and will now start to make all our streets safer by reversing the light dimming they introduced in 2016."
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September 8, 2022