Exeter streetlight dimming made permanent as night shift workers voice safety concerns

A decision to permanently dim and switch off some streetlights in Exeter has prompted criticism from the city’s MP, who says public safety must not be compromised in the drive to cut costs and carbon emissions.

On 17 February, Devon County Council’s Cabinet approved proposals to make permanent changes to street lighting across the county, following a year-long trial. 

The move will see earlier switch-off times and further dimming of lights in residential areas, market towns and rural locations. Lighting on main roads will remain unchanged.

The council says the approach builds on its long-standing part-night lighting policy and takes advantage of new smart technology, including a Central Management System now connected to more than 66,000 LED streetlights across Devon. 

This system allows lighting levels to be adjusted remotely and, if required, increased quickly where safety concerns arise.

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Since the trial began in April last year, the authority says it has reduced electricity use for street lighting by more than one million kilowatt hours a year. 

At current prices, that equates to savings of around £270,000 annually, alongside an estimated reduction of around 200 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, said the decision “strikes the right balance between being responsible with public money, tackling climate change and continuing to keep people safe.”

“The trial has shown we can significantly reduce energy use and carbon emissions while still responding quickly to local concerns,” he said. 

“Street lighting is not a one-size-fits-all service. With the technology we now have, we can tailor lighting to different communities and make changes where they’re needed, including increasing lighting levels if safety issues are identified.”

The council confirmed it had worked with Devon and Cornwall Police throughout the trial, including specialist crime prevention teams, and said no objections were raised in principle.

 In some locations, including Ilfracombe, lighting times were adjusted following concerns from shift workers about travelling late at night. 

Pedestrian crossings will remain fully lit, and further changes can be made if new issues are identified.

Some Exeter residents working late hours say the changes have altered how safe they feel travelling home. Sarah Mitchell, a night shift nurse who regularly finishes shifts after midnight, said darker residential streets have made her more cautious. 

“You definitely notice the difference on some routes,” she said. “When you’re walking from the bus stop after a 12-hour shift, good lighting makes a big difference to how safe you feel. I understand the need to save money and reduce carbon, but it shouldn’t make people anxious about getting home.”

Tom Richards, who works nights at an industrial estate on the edge of the city, said earlier switch-offs have left parts of his route in near darkness. 

“There are stretches where it feels like you’re the only person around and there’s very little light. It might be fine statistically, but perception matters when you’re on your own at 2am.”

Additionally, Exeter MP Steve Race has voiced concern about the impact of dimming and earlier switch-offs, particularly for women and shift workers travelling after dark.

He said: “Part 2 of the Angiolini Inquiry reported in December on the safety of women in public spaces. The report makes repeated reference to the role of effective street lighting in helping women to both feel safer and actually stay safe. The College of Policing found increased lighting led to a 21 per cent reduction in all violent crime.

“This Government has declared violence against women and girls a national emergency, and pledged to halve it within a decade. When I asked the Minister about Devon’s plans almost a year ago, she reiterated that good street lighting is a ‘key part’ of keeping people safe at night.

“So I’m concerned to hear that Devon County Council have chosen to ignore this advice and the concerns of Exeter residents, particularly women and shift workers, and go ahead with the roll out of street light switch offs in Exeter.”

“While I welcome measures that save money and reduce emissions, this shouldn’t come at the expense of public safety.”

In areas elsewhere in Devon where specific concerns were identified, lighting times were adjusted after discussions with local councils and officers.

With the changes now made permanent, attention is likely to focus on whether monitoring data and community feedback lead to further adjustments in parts of the city where concerns remain strongest.

The changes form part of wider budget measures approved by the county council this year, as it seeks to manage financial pressures while maintaining frontline services. 

Devon County Council has said it will continue to monitor feedback and crime data, and that lighting levels can be amended through the Central Management System if evidence shows a need for change.