Members from two local sports groups are asking the council to restore the street lights on one of the major routes into Wilmslow.
Street lighting along the A538, heading towards the airport tunnels, has been switched off as part of the council's street lighting carbon reduction scheme - in an effort to slash carbon emissions, cut down on light pollution and save money.
A number of trials across the borough were followed by the introduction of changes to street lighting. These included permanently switching off lights on A or B roads between towns and villages (such as the A538), dimming lights where routes pass through local communities and part-night lighting where lights are automatically turned off at midnight and come back on between 5.30am and 6.30am. This is mainly being used in housing estates.
Members from both CycleWilmslow and Styal Running Club have contacted Cheshire East and raised concerns about the safety of pedestrians and cyclists using the A538 without lighting.
They feel good lighting is of high importance because it is a busy and narrow road with vehicles in close proximity to the shared-use footway/cycleway, it is on quite a steep incline, relatively narrow and heavily used by those on foot, cycle or wheelchair.
Rob Sawyer, Secretary CycleWilmslow said "I have written to Wilmslow Town Council and Cllr Barton upon learning that the street lights have been switched off. I hope that the decision will be rescinded as the shared cycling/walking pavement is well used and is next to a busy carriageway.
"Furthermore the A538 stretch near the Waters HQ will become busier as it opens with a mix of motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. I support energy saving initiatives but they have to be balanced against safety impacts, in this case I think the case for retaining streetlights is strong."
Tony Collier of Styal Running Club added "The footpaths along this stretch of road are cycle paths, part of various walking routes as well as extensively used as routes by a number of running clubs in the evenings. There are also bus stops now completely unlit on both sides of the road.
"It is the very firm view of our running club (Styal RC) that the stretch of footpath and unlit road is now positively dangerous both for pedestrians and motorists. Surely it can't be difficult to arrange for the stretch of road to remain lit until later in the evening when there is unlikely to be any foot or cycle traffic?"
He added "We have already experienced incidents of near misses with traffic whilst trying to cross the road to gain access to the footpath on the opposite side of the road from the Holiday Inn Hotel and believe that the removal of street lighting is just a disaster waiting to happen."
Cllr Gary Barton has been contacted by a number of local residents who are concerned about this issue, which he is currently looking into and has raised with other local councillors.
He said "The reduction of lighting on the A538 is part of an important Borough wide scheme that ultimately will save local Council Tax payers' money, lower light pollution and reduce our carbon footprint. Similar schemes are being trialled by councils across the country and by the Highways Agency. I hope that local residents will be able to bear with us as trials continue.
"However, in the case of this section of the A538 I think there is clearly a case for reviewing our policy and I have already made enquiries about beginning a review process. I am aware that, as well as switching lights on and off, there is also the potential for adjusting the level of lighting. I am happy to hear from and meet with local residents to discuss this issue and a number of residents have already contacted me. I also urge residents to get in touch with their local councillors to suggest other roads that should be considered for inclusion within the scheme."
Comments
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The streetlights have been switched off from the roundabout at the end of the airport tunnel to the bend just before the new roundabout at the Waters site. And then left on for the remainder of the way into Wilmslow.
What amuses me is that where there is a footpath and cycle way is where the lights have been switched off and where there isn't they have been left on. There seems to be no logic behind this decision.
Yes I agree with the principle to less light pollution, saving energy and money, but not the way that it is being implemented. CEC, please listen to reason and common sense and have a rethink behind how and where this policy is being implemented.