Sian Davis thinks that the county council turning off Essex street lights is not such a bright idea.
‘I start work at 5am and I used to walk there. But with the lights off I don’t feel it’s safe to do that anymore. Instead I spend more than half an hour’s wages on a cab’.
Last winter Essex County Council began cutting its electricity bill by turning off the street lights between midnight and 5am. But the ‘ridiculous’ blackout in two trial districts has only added to the travel costs of this woman, who works in a local supermarket.
Other residents may have paid even more dearly. There have been reports of increased car crime. Figures from Basildon District Council show that street robbery has gone up from 18 instances to 28 in the eight months before and after the lights went out, although Essex County Council maintains there has been ‘no significant change’ in crime rates.
Highlighting the reduction in light pollution, the county council invites us to think of this cost-cutting measure as an environmentally friendly initiative. And if you can’t be persuaded to think of it that way, you needn’t bother complaining because the local authority has already announced that the blackout will remain in force unless and until the police advise otherwise.
At least the voices of local people will be heard in the Clacton-on-Sea parliamentary by-election on Thursday. Rising East will be there to hear what they say. Watch this space for an insider’s account of why Ukip is tipped to win.