Petition calls for streetlights to be turned back on across Coventry at night
Over 1,000 are calling for the decision to be reconsidered
Over a thousand people are demanding streetlights in Coventry be switched back on overnight. Since July, the lamps on more than 2,500 city streets have been turned off from midnight to 4-5am.
Coventry council agreed to bring in the move in February as part of cuts to services to save money. But an online petition backed by 1045 people is calling for the authority to re-consider the decision.
It highlights concerns that had been raised over how the change would hit the elderly, vulnerable and shift-workers. The petition also highlighted that just 36 people responded to the move which it called a “ridiculously small number.”
The petition on the council website states: “We the undersigned petition the Council to re-consider the decision made on 20th February 2024. When you decided to switch the street lights off for the majority of the night, you had a response from only 36 people which is a ridiculously small number for a city the size of Coventry.
“Out of those 36 responses there were concerns that the elderly, vulnerable and shift-workers might be disproportionately affected by this decision which is deeply unpopular.” The council recieved 36 comments on the move in a consultation which 423 people took part in earlier this year.
Summing up the responses, the report says: “While some agree with the proposals put forward others feel that this could impact crime, anti-social behaviour, and public safety.” Coventry council said the e-petition calling for the move to be scrapped will be considered by a senior councillor.
A spokesperson said: “As with any petition that reaches this threshold, it will be considered by the relevant Cabinet Member. The introduction of part-night street lighting was one of the proposals we consulted on at the turn of the year.
“All residents had an opportunity to take part in that consultation which was widely publicised in the local media and via the Council’s own channels. We understand this move is unpopular with some residents.
“However, the Council is faced with a number of financial pressures which have been caused by underfunding, rising demand and inflation. The Council has to make savings as a result so it can continue to provide frontline services for the most vulnerable in the city.
“We understand concerns around perceived safety, but we have not seen an increase in crime on streets with part-night lighting. Of course, we will continue to monitor these statistics and make changes should we need to.”
The e-petition on the council website was set up last month. A separate e-petition on Change.org calling for the council to switch the lights back on also has over 1,000 signatures, with 1257 recorded at the time of writing.
Approximately 70% of Coventry’s streetlights are now switched off from midnight until the early hours of the morning under the new policy. The move has affected every ward in the city, leaving 2539 streets in the dark.
The council has previously said the move is saves £700,000 in energy costs per year and also tackles carbon emissions and light pollution. Lights are also not being switched off at places in the city near vulnerable groups such as elderly accommodation and A&E departments, and do not affect the city centre, paths away from roads and places covered by CCTV.