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Chesham street light switch off a 'step too far'
Councillors in Chesham are to press for a reappraisal of a decision to switch off street lights along Amersham Hill.
Concern is growing that the decision, to be reviewed formally in as year's time, is both wrong-headed and dangerous.
Councillors are concerned that a lot of people use the main throughfare from Chesham to Amersham as a cycle route as well as a pedstrianised right of way.
And councillors are also worried that the dense woodland off the hill makes travelling difficulties potentially even more difficult, especially during the long winter nights.
The subject was debated on Monday (Oct 20) evening at a meeting of Chesham Town Council's development control committee at the town hall in Baines Walk.
Buckinghamshire County Council has decided to save money and to cut back on electricity use as part of a more environmentally friendly energy policy.
It has taken decisions to phase out the use of street lights in certain pilot areas, including the main A413 route at Great Missenden.
This decision has been welcomed by some residents but there is mounting concern about the decision relating to Amersham Hill.
Monday's meeting decided that council clerk Bill Richards should be tasked to write a letter to the county council highlighting members' concerns.
Councillor Justine Fulford said she had been assured that cat's eyes would be installed to help make the route more motorist friendly.
"I do not object to the policy but I am concerned about pedestrian safety (along the hill)," said Mrs Fulford.
Councillor Pauline Wilkinson told colleagues she had asked county officers "to look again" at the policy as it relates to Amersham Hill.
She said that, in her opinion, the Woodland Trust, which owns the woods, should be approached to do some tree felling to make it lighter at night.
Councillor Elaine Bamford said: "I have objected to this. A lot of people walk home and I have never agreed with this decision."
Councillor Noel Brown said: "It is perhaps not appropriate to have the lights off along Amersham Hill. We should make contact and see if this can be amended."
Councillor Michael Brand said: "We should suggeest to county to rescind this policy. This is a step too far."
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Why not switch off every other light?
We seem to be the only country in Europe that needs a light every 30 yards even in the middle of nowhere.. Cars & motorbikes have headlights to see in the dark, so it is only pedestrians that actually need the light.. Therefore one light every 60 yards would still give enough light to walk. Have i missed something?
Peter, I feel you have missed one other important factor here, cyclists. Even with bike lights cycling down that road is immensely dangerous.
I know of cyclists who cycle down the footpath, but if there is inadequate lighting (60 yards would mean to far in the dark between lights) the risk to cyclist and pedestrian is too much in my opinion.
One comment from last night's council meeting by Cllr Wilkinson was that plans had been adequately debated and it is just a trial. How long does the trial have to go on for before a serious accident happens. And felling trees would not make it light enough for pedestrians and cyclists. Swallowing the spider to catch the fly methinks.