Street lighting and reporting faults
Street lighting helps roads and footways to be used safely. We are responsible for maintaining over 27,000 street lights.
We encourage reports from the public about faults and problems to help us arrange for repairs to be carried out.
Reporting a lighting fault
Unfortunately, despite regular inspections, fault with our street lights inevitably occur. If you discover a faulty street light, please report it to us.
To help us deal with the fault as quickly as possible it would be useful if you could provide us with the street light column number, road and location.
Alternatively call Highways Customer Care.
How long will it take to repair?
Our contractor, Centre Great Ltd is required to repair faults in the following timescales:
- Accidental damage where a street light is considered unsafe or where there is exposed electrical wiring, within two hours of being notified
- Regular faults within four working days of being notified
- More than two faults in an area within two working days of being notified
Part night lighting and LED conversion FAQS
The council will shortly begin a programme to convert all the county borough’s street lanterns to LED and at the same time implement part night lighting, between the hours of midnight and 5.30am, to all lighting, except at junctions and in major town centres.
The programme will commence from the beginning of April 2019 and continue on a ward-by-ward basis for a period of approximately two years.
Can Caerphilly County Borough Council legally turn off lights?
There is no statutory requirement on local authorities in the United Kingdom to provide public lighting. In England and Wales, the Highways Act 1980 empowers a Highway Authority to provide lighting for any highway or proposed highway under their responsibility. Highway Authorities have a duty of care to the road user, but this does not imply any duty on the Highway Authority to keep the street lighting operational.
Why can’t you only switch off every other light? (1 in 2)
This has been considered but it will not enable the council to meet its objectives regarding energy cost increases and carbon reduction savings. It would also mean lots of variations in the level of street lighting, which is not considered appropriate for highway users.
Can I pay to keep the street light outside my house on?
No, part night lighting is to help Caerphilly County Borough Council achieve street lighting energy savings that contribute to the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and mitigate energy cost increases and carbon reduction savings. The reduction in carbon emissions is a commitment to the prevention of the long term threat of climate change to which energy reduction plays a key role.
The street lighting energy savings will contribute to the authority’s Well Being Objective 4: Promote a modern, integrated and sustainable transport system that increases opportunity, promotes prosperity and minimises the adverse impacts on the environment.
Will I get a reduction in my council tax?
Council tax is a mix of property-based tax and person-based tax that includes elements for all council services; it is a consolidated tax, payable in its entirety in line with the relevant band of the property concerned, therefore it is not possible to reduce any element that goes towards paying for any particular service.
Why my street?
The wide spread introduction of part night lighting and LED conversion within all residential areas will reflect a consistent approach to street lighting across Caerphilly county borough.
What happens if there is an increase in post switch off road traffic collisions or crime levels where part night lighting is in operation?
A recent study led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, in partnership with University College London, focused on offences more likely to occur at night, including burglary, theft of or from a vehicle, robbery, violence and sexual assault. Overall, there was no evidence of an association between reduced street lighting and increased crime.
All roads affected by this change in policy will be monitored for increases in the accident statistics and should any issues become apparent appropriate investigation measures will be taken by the council’s Road Safety team.
When will the works be carried out in my area?
Below is an indicative timescale for the works detailed by area. This is purely indicative, as the works could be affected by any number of factors including inclement weather. It is currently anticipated that around 200 conversions to LED per week could be achievable.
|
Ward
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Town
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Date
|
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IA
|
Blackwood
|
March 2020
|
|
IB
|
Newbridge
|
June 2019
|
|
IC
|
Risca
|
April 2019
|
|
ID
|
Pengam (Cefn Fforest)
|
August 2020
|
|
IE
|
Penmaen (Argoed)
|
January 2020
|
|
IF
|
Abercarn
|
May 2019
|
|
IG
|
Crumlin
|
July 2019
|
|
IH
|
Mynyddislwyn (Ynysddu)
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September 2019
|
|
IJ
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Pontllanfraith
|
November 2019
|
|
WA
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Rhymney (Twyn Carno and Pontlottyn)
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December 2020
|
|
WB
|
Abertysswg (Moriah)
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November 2020
|
|
WC
|
New Tredegar
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November 2020
|
|
WD
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Fochriw / Deri (Darran Valley)
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October 2020
|
|
WE
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Aberbargoed
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October 2020
|
|
WF
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Bargoed (Gilfach)
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September 2020
|
|
WG
|
Tir-y-Berth (St Cattwg)
|
July 2020
|
|
WH
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Nelson
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July 2020
|
|
WJ
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Ystrad Mynach
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May 2020
|
|
WK
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Maesycwmmer
|
June 2020
|
|
WL
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Llanbradach
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April 2020
|
|
WM
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Penyrheol
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February 2020
|
|
WN
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Trecenydd (St Martins)
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December 2019
|
|
WP
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Abertidwr, Senghenydd (Aber Valley)
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April 2019
|
|
WR
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Caerphilly (St James)
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October 2019
|
|
WS
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Caerphilly Central (Morgan Jones)
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August 2019
|
|
WT
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Mornington Meadows (St James)
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July 2019
|
|
WV
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Bedwas
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June 2019
|
|
WX
|
Machen, Trethomas
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May 2019
|
What about people who are partially sighted, elderly or undertake shift work?
The introduction of part night lighting is not based on personal circumstances. The clearer, more focused street lighting provided by LED units should assist poorly sighted individuals, as well as helping define the less able bodied to be identified on or around the highway.
Can I claim against the council if I am injured during the hours when street lights are not lit?
There is no statutory requirement on local authorities in the United Kingdom to provide public lighting. Many roads and paths are not lit at all and highway users need to adjust their behaviour according to the prevailing conditions.
What happens if the cost of my car/home insurance increases due to part night lighting?
While providing a generally welcome benefit, the street lighting system is not installed to provide security lighting or lighting for the access or egress into properties.
How much will this programme of work cost to implement?
While costing around £4.2 million to implement in total initially, the council has been successful in obtaining Salix funding to the tune of £4.1 million. This is interest free funding to the public sector to enable them to improve their energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills.
What are the likely energy savings?
Full year energy savings are expected to be £940,000 and 6,884,477KWh, with predicted energy increases in the forthcoming financial year of 13.66%
Who made the decision to implement part night lighting?
A report on Future Lighting and Energy Saving Proposals was considered by the cross-party Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee in October 2018. Their recommendations were approved at a meeting Cabinet during November 2018.
Why were residents not consulted?
Prior to the 2012 implementation of the “Reduction in Street Lighting Operating Hours” policy, extensive consultation was carried out with adjoining local authorities, the Business Forum, Community and Town Councils, Community Partnerships, Community Safety Partnership, Council departments, disability groups, Emergency Services, Sirhowy Enterprise Way Ltd, the Viewpoint Panel, Western Power Distribution, the Youth Forum and others.
Residents were also asked to take part in a survey to determine their preferred energy saving options of which widespread part night lighting throughout the Borough was included.
Will part night lighting be reviewed?
There are no plans to review the principles of part night lighting. It should be noted the proposals should be viewed as a way of cost avoidance (against kWh consumption) as energy costs are likely to continue to rise.
When will the part night lighting start in my area?
The installation of LED lanterns and part night lighting will be undertaken concurrently, beginning during April 2019 and planned to be completed within 24 months. We will strive to keep residents informed as to when works will begin in their areas.
Which other county borough have introduced part night lighting?
All neighbouring authorities have undertaken a reduction in the street lighting operating hours.
New housing developments and private roads
Installation of street lighting in a new housing development is the responsibility of the site developers and not the council. Where we have agreed to adopt the road, the developer is required to install the street lighting to a standard agreed prior to us adopting it. However, we cannot insist on the installation of street lighting whilst the site is being developed.
Lighting in private un-adopted roads is not our responsibility and property owners must make their own arrangements to light the roads and footpaths.