Thursday, December 12, 2024

Concerns Over Finances Arise Following Reduction of Street Lights in Oxfordshire

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Oxfordshire County Council has announced a deferral of plans to switch off many streetlights in response to safety concerns, following a meeting where deputy leader Dr. Pete Sudbury emphasized the need for further consultation, including discussions with police. The proposal aimed to turn off streetlights between 11 PM and 6:30 AM to achieve an annual saving of £400,000 and support a £38 million LED upgrade project. Critics, including Richard Parnham from the Reconnecting Oxford campaign group, questioned the financial sense of spending £2.2 million to save £400,000 yearly, and expressed concerns over the impact on public safety and the adequacy of the council’s impact assessment. Local officials, including city councillor Linda Smith, voiced that residents in some areas desire more street lighting for safety.

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