HC Deb 23 March 1976 vol 908 cc120-1W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will initiate a study into the relationship between the absence of adequate street lighting and the increase in accidents to vehicles and pedestrians and give guidance to local authorities on this matter.

Mr. Marks

It has already been shown that road lighting can on average save 30 per cent, of night-time accidents and local authorities are well aware of this.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the guidance offered to local authorities by the Ministry under the "Save It" campaign on street lighting.

Mr. Marks

Advice on the use of more efficient equipment for street lighting was contained in Circular No. 175 in England and Wales (176 in Scotland) issued to local authorities by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy in November 1975.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities are cutting street lighting without making conversions from tungsten filaments to modern discharge lamps.

Mr. Marks

This information is not available. It is the responsibility of each local authority to determine its own lighting policies.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment of road accidents at night, what is the cost to the United Kingdom in any year for which figures are available and the percentage due in part or in whole to poor road lighting.

Mr. Marks

Road accidents at night in Great Britain are estimated to have cost the nation at least £270 million in 1974. Detailed investigation of a sample of accidents indicated that inadequate street lighting was a factor in about 6 per cent, of night accidents.

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