In spite of more important issues that most people are concerned about, This appeared on the Daily Mail’s front page this morning.
The story looked at how many councils are beginning to switch off streetlights at around midnight every night. The switch offs the councils claim are being imposed to save energy and meet tough climate change targets. At present, these changes affect mainly some suburban and rural areas, but the Mail fears that the government may eventually impose the policy throughout the country.
Not surprisingly, the switchoffs, the largest ever seen since the imposed blackouts during the energy crisis in the early 1970s, have caused anger among residents affected, the police and motoring organisations.
While I can sympathise with those living with the switchoffs, I don’t believe there is a government drive to force all lights to be turned off. Of course there are the usual fears over crime, and the fact that technology can be enhanced to make lamps that use less energy. To me, this is another one of these ridiculous scare stories that the Mail is famous for. Indeed, on Mailwatch today, I read this witty comment(scroll down):
YES!!!! Amateur astronomers (in Buckinghamshire) rejoice!
Will there be a return of the blackout? Not very likely…