Cornwall Council criticised over response to overnight street lighting safety concerns

A Newquay town councillor says he is "disgusted" by Cornwall Council's response to concerns about the safety of women walking home from work after midnight.

Councillor Nick Morris criticised the authority after Newquay Town Council wrote to County Hall asking for some residential street lighting to be restored between midnight and 5am.

The request followed a motion brought by Cllr Morris, which he said received cross-party support.

He said women working late shifts had raised concerns about feeling unsafe in unlit areas of Newquay, including one woman whose journey home takes her along Bedowan Meadows.

Cllr Morris said he was "disgusted" by the response sent on behalf of Cornwall Council's cabinet member for transport, Dan Rogerson.

He argued that women's safety should take priority over the financial savings being made through the scheme, adding that residents should not be held responsible for the council's debt.

He also questioned the environmental justification for switching off the lights.

PRESS PLAY to hear Newquay Town Councillor Nick Morris who says he has heard from concerned residents...

Council defends lighting policy

Cornwall Council said its overnight switch-off policy was developed in consultation with Devon and Cornwall Police, emergency services and highway safety officers.

In Newquay, residential street lights are switched off between midnight and 5am from Sunday night through to Thursday night. They remain on throughout Friday and Saturday nights.

In its response to the town council, County Hall acknowledged that concerns extended beyond recorded crime to how safe people felt walking through their neighbourhoods.

The letter stated: "I recognise that many of the concerns raised relate not only to crime levels, but also to how safe people feel when moving around their neighbourhoods after dark."

It added: "I understand that perceptions of safety are important and can have a real impact on residents' confidence and wellbeing."

Cornwall Council said police had advised during the most recent review in early September that there had been no reported increase in crime during the switch-off hours in Newquay.

However, the authority requested updated information from Devon and Cornwall Police following the town council's letter.

It said any changes would be considered in partnership with police and council safety teams if the evidence suggested they were necessary.

Cllr Morris said: "Even if there hasn't been, there's been the increase in the possibility of something happening and the fear of it happening in amongst young ladies. They told me now they are 15 to 20 times more scared about walking home now than they ever were. I know some of them are actually now getting picked up from work because they can't walk home."

Concerns about visibility and falls

Concerns were also raised about the possibility of slips, trips and falls in areas without overnight lighting.

Cornwall Council said it had not identified evidence directly linking an increase in such incidents to the policy, but would continue monitoring the situation.

It encouraged residents to report specific locations where poor visibility could present a risk.

The authority also rejected a suggestion to leave every third street light switched on.

It said alternating areas of light and darkness could make it more difficult for people's eyes to adjust, potentially creating additional safety risks.

Lighting will continue at locations where it is required for traffic management, operational or road safety reasons.

Cornwall Council says the programme is designed to reduce energy consumption, light pollution and carbon emissions while helping to manage its finances.

The authority has a target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Around 10,000 street lights have already been switched off overnight, with the programme eventually expected to cover 36,000 of Cornwall's 56,000 lights.