Accident fears over dimming of Thurso lights
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AN accident could be caused by the “extremely dim” lights in the centre of Thurso.
Local community councillor Gill Arrowsmith is concerned the reduced lighting – part of a Highland Council experiment – may cause problems.
“The worry is that someone is going to get knocked over as the lights are very, very dim. People have been complaining since the dark nights have come in,” she said at Tuesday night’s meeting.
But new community council chairman Don Smith said people have to get used to reduced lighting in certain areas over the winter months. “You can’t expect to go out at night and get the same amount of light you would get sitting in your living room,” he said.
Mr Smith said drivers would also have to take more care where the lights are dimmer.
Earlier this year, two local Highland councillors expressed concern that dimming streets lights in Caithness could affect road safety.
Wick representative Graeme Smith and his Thurso colleague, Donnie Mackay were worried about the impact the reduced lighting could have on public. Mr Smith also said the dimmed lights may lead to an increase in antisocial behaviour.
However, Landward Caithness councillor Willie Mackay backed the proposal and said it would “save energy and reduce carbon emissions”.
The Highland Council is carrying out trials with street lighting in a bid to make energy savings.
Areas in Thurso and Wick as well as Gillock and Brough are taking part in the experiment which is running over the winter months.
Locally, lights are dimmed between midnight and 6am. Elsewhere in the North lights were switched off between midnight and 6am or switched off on every second lighting column.
In Caithness, the trial, which runs until the end of March, involves dimming the lighting levels by 25 per cent.
When the experiment was given the go-ahead by councillors it was stressed that road safety units would monitor any road accidents at the trial locations. Any individual trial will be suspended if the police raise concerns about public or road safety.
In addition, Northern Constabulary will be consulted in relation to any associated criminal activity where the exercise is being undertaken.
