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August 2014
A Groby couple who live in the Quorndon Rise/Garendon Way area have cited the switching off of street lights as a factor in the theft of valuables from their car at 1.30am. "In our 5 years living in Groby we have never been a victim of crime but this incident has left us shaken up, distraught and we now find it extremely difficult to get to sleep at night," they explained. "The only lamps operational at the time were two which are located close to our home. I strongly believe this car theft would have never happened if the rest of the street lamps had been on that night. Looking out of my window now, there is nothing but an eerie pitch black blanket that drapes our area. We feel vulnerable and many of the locals who we have spoken to feel the same way."
Although images were captured on their CCTV footage they did not reveal a clear enough image of the offender who is seen hooded and masked. They describe it as "an extremely disturbing video that's certainly left us haunted at what could become of this pleasantly quiet and safe environment we once lived in."
They are calling for Leicestershire County Council to switch the lights back on, are advising householders to be aware of the risk of theft and to call the police should they suspect or see anything suspicious.
July 2013
The County Council has decided not to remove lamp standards on Sacheverell Way. Following public concerns the lights are now back on from dusk until midnight and 5.30am to dawn.
April 2012
Nearly 900 residents of Groby and Ratby have signed the petition to partially restore night time lighting to Sacheverell Way. Ratby Borough Councillor Ozzy O’shea handed the petition to Cllr David Slater the deputy lead member on Environment and Transport on Tuesday 2nd April at County Hall. But not everyone is happy about the representations that have been made to Leicestershire County Council, as they would prefer the lights to stay off.
“I am extremely gratefully for the support that both Groby and Ratby residents have given to me over this community safety issue,” said Cllr O'shea. He is asking for alternate lights to be turned back on in the evenings until 0030am each morning and then back on again in the winter months from 0530am until daylight to protect children walking to school. As reported last month the County Council had planned to remove the lamp standards, but have now agreed to defer a final decision until this summer.
The petition has been given to the Director of Transport and Cllr O'shea has been invited to present a copy of the petition to the Hinckley and Bosworth Highways Forum which is scheduled for the 5th June 2013 at 6pm. This meeting will be held in the chamber at the Hinckley& Bosworth Council offices. Argents Mead, Hinckley. “The meeting will be open to the public and I would urge residents to attend and support me,” he added.
The 'Leave our lights off' campaign
Some residents who live near the road are alarmed that with the prospect of the lights returning. “Turning the lights back on would have the biggest impact on those residents whose properties adjoin Sacheverell way, not those who transit the road.” said a local resident. “However, we (the residents) have not been canvassed on the impact of turning the lights back on again.”
The residents who oppose the switch-on argue that since the lights were turned off in 2010 there have been no overnight crimes or road traffic incidents attributed to the stretches of road without street lighting. They have estimated that the switch off has saved the County Council around £6,570 per annum, reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than 20 tonnes a year and meant a reduction in overall light pollution.
They believe there has been a traffic calming effect with reduction in both vehicle speeds and incidental noise and an increase in wellbeing of residents whose properties adjoin Sacheverell Way. They say this is demonstrated by improved sleep patterns (particularly for young children) because of the total darkness in bedrooms that back on to the main road. Residents also claim an economic benefit as a result of a reduction in spending on blackout curtains / blinds and ask what cuts might come to other services if the savings made are reversed and perhaps extended to other communities who ask for their lights to be turned back on.
“There is a Facebook page at facebook.com/sacheverellwayleaveourlightsoff to allow the residents who want the lights to be left off to voice their opinions,”said a local resident. “Not everybody wants them back on again.”
With several months to go before the County Council makes a final decision it looks as if the debate of this now controversial issue will roll on unless the parties involved reach some form of compromise.
March 2012
Leicestereshire County Council has partly responded to the letter earlier this month from Groby Parish Council. "I can confirm that LCC is generally removing the street lights that were switched off 3 years ago around the County." the letter explains. "However, the decision has been taken to defer this work in respect to Sacheverell Way and to undertake a further review in the summer."
March 2012
Groby Parish Council, when consulted by Leicestershire County Council in 2010, strongly objected to any permanent switch off of the lights along Sacheverell Way and requested that consideration be given to alternate columns being illuminated. It seems that the Parish Council was under the impression that the switch off after midnight was the option being considered. The council was not even informed that the decision to permanently switch them off had been reached until February 2011.
The latest development is that the streets lights which have not been illuminated over the past 3 years are to be removed completely. A spokesperson for the Parish Council has confirmed that members still object and believe that such a decision is reckless and irresponsible bearing in mind the number of accidents that have occurred along Sacheverell Way, two of which incurred fatalities.
“The Parish Council cannot stress the amount of footfall this road has during the evening period,” explained the spokesperson, “and in the interests of residents, pedestrians and motorists, Leicestershire County Council needs to revisit the area in the evening periods to conduct a further Risk Assessment and see the potential hazards that their decision to switch off the lights on Sacheverell Way has instigated.”
A petition has been launched to try to get street lights turned back on - they were turned off in 2010 as part of a scheme to save energy and cash. Read the Mercury report.
May 2010
The County Council is planning part-night lighting in residential areas which will affect 60% of street lights and mean lights are switched off between midnight and 5.30am. In rural areas lights may be switched off completely if this does not affect road safety. and lights in locations such as through routes will be dimmed when there is less traffic.
The plans are still being developed but the first lights locally to be named for the big turn off are on Sacheverall Way and possibly the A50 betwen the A46 and Field Head. "As part of County Council plans to save £700,000 and cut carbon, it's been agreed that lights on Sacheverell Way in Groby (excluding junctions) will be switched off - this is due to start in June," said a spokesperson for the County Council.
"Details about this and the other agreed locations in the south of the county will be published on our website shortly. The A50 falls under the north of the county and we are currently considering sites in this area. When these have been agreed, we will be able to provide more information."