Lights to go out in Rye

More details on how the controversial plans will affect Rye have been unveiled by East Sussex County Council. They are proposing dividing Rye into three zones.

White light lanterns will be dimmed to provide 50 percent of lighting between midnight and 6am on A roads and main roads; lights will be turned off completely between 12.30pm and 5.30am in some areas such as Tilling Green and Kings Avenue, while in other areas half the street lights will be turned off between those times.

The public will get a chance to have their say with a four week consultation and roadshow planned for January. But the county council has already said it will press ahead with the cost-saving scheme next year.

Rye county councillor Keith Glazier has said though that if the Rye consultation throws up any areas of particular concern, these will be taken into account.

He says there will be a full six month review following the implementation of the scheme.

Towns that have already gone through the process have not reported a rise in crime says the county council.

The object of the scheme is to reduce the county council’s carbon footprint, saving an estimated 25 tonnes of CO2 a year, as well as reducing running costs.

LED lights, being trialled in other areas of Sussex, have been deemed to expensive for the Rye scheme. An LED unit costs around £250 whereas each compact fluorescent bulb used costs just £2.50, as well as a one-off £50 to change the control equipment.

When the scheme was first announced some councillors raised concerns over residents tripping in the dark and called for a review of footpaths to ensure there were no trip hazards.