Agenda item

To receive the report of Eddie Henry, Street Lighting PFI Client Manager.

RECEIVED the report of Eddie Henry, Street Lighting PFI Client Manager.

Eddie Henry introduced the report which provided a background of Enfield’s Street lighting, previous and existing strategies, and the on-going day to day arrangements to address any concerns that may emanate from complaints or enquiries.

Following the receipt of a small number of complaints coming from a specific area within Enfield this became an agenda item for the Crime and Scrutiny Panel meeting on 23 September 2021, following which officers were instructed to increase the output of all streetlights located in residential roads, secondary roads and footpaths within Bowes and Upper Edmonton Wards. This increase to maximum output was carried out in October 2021 and has remained since this date. The street lighting client team receive less than 1 complaint regarding poor lighting each month with the majority relating to areas where the lighting has failed. It was recognised however that assessing risk, fear and feeling safe for residents and end users can be subjective with significant variances often dependent on lifestyles and outlooks, Officers also acknowledged that there are other factors and environmental concerns that effect how individuals feel about the provision, standard and quality of lighting provided which need to be considered and balanced.

It was also understood that some residents compare Enfield’s Street lighting to that of its neighbouring London Borough, Haringey. Unfortunately, officers had been unable to obtain street lighting records from neighbouring boroughs, but observations have determined that Enfield’s Street lighting strategies and stock are somewhat advanced to many others.

Included in the report was data sourced from the Metropolitan Police Service dashboard and highlighted total notifiable offences from January 2021 to December 2022. This analysis was used to answer questions relating to what influence does street lighting have on crime levels in Enfield and included offences most susceptible to impact from changed lighting. Andrea Clemons, Head of Community Safety advised that these statistics did not prove a link or correlation between crime levels and the levels of lighting. She added that the figures show a ‘very mixed picture’ and it is therefore hard to draw any link between reported crime and lighting levels, and impossible to draw a conclusion about fear of crime and lighting levels.

In conclusion officers said that they will continue to promptly assess all reported cases where street lighting is deemed a contributory factor to a heightened feeling of fear, and advice and guidance will continue to be sought from other departments such as Community Safety to ensure any areas of attention is quickly addressed.

Questions and comments were invited by Panel Members

Cllr Gregory said that residents in the Bowes Lower Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) felt that the light levels were much lower than in neighbouring Haringey and young women and girls did not feel safe because it was a lot darker. John Grimes, Head of Highway Operations replied that some of the principal roads in the LTB such as Brownlow Road are lit to a higher class than the side roads. He added however that there was no difference in the lighting standard applied to Bowes LTN than there is to Enfield Town, Turkey Street or any other ward in the borough.

Tim Fellows, Chair of Enfield Safer Neighbourhood Board said that the lack of passing traffic in the LTN combined with lower lighting levels was contributing to residents feeling more unsafe. He suggested lighting the LTN areas better to give people a “feeling of safety”. In response John Grimes said the lighting levels in Bowes Ward had been increased by 15% but added that to the naked eye it is probably not a huge increase in actual light output. However, he said that the volume of complaints had almost diminished to zero after the light level was increased.

Superintendent Rhona Hunt referred to the ‘Women’s Walk and Talks’ patrol with Police Officers which young women and girls can attend to discuss any issues or concerns. Rhona said that this scheme is available in all Wards and Councillors could arrange this for their residents by either getting in touch with her direct or contacting their designated Ward Officer.

In response to a question from Cllr Anolue regarding the setting of streetlight levels, officers advised that these were set in accordance with British Standards. They said that complaints were also received from residents in relation to light pollution and therefore needed to strike a balance between environmental needs, economic realities and delivering lighting that conforms to the British Standard.

Cllr Grumi suggested residents in the Fox Lane LTN would also like a 15% uplift in street lighting levels. Officers said they would investigate whether it was possible to increase the brightness of streetlamps in areas of concern.
Action: John Grimes/Doug Wilkinson

Time Fellows asked when the programme of replacing SON streetlamps with LED was likely to be completed. Officers explained that LED lighting is not suitable for all types of streetlamps, so for instance heritage ones will stay on a non-monitored system and the decision has been taken to maintain these so as not to ruin the look and balance of the street scene.

The Chair thanked officers for their informative update.