It is for each local highway authority to decide what level of service they wish their street lighting network to deliver; and decisions on reducing the hours of operation will need to take into account the reasons for which the lighting was provided in the first place. Any reduction in energy use would have to be balanced against any potential adverse effects.
Where local authorities are considering reducing operating hours, the Government encourage them to consider the issues in “Invest to Save”, produced by the UK Lighting Board and the Institution of Lighting Engineers (available from www.ile.org.uk). The Government also supports the Carbon Trust’s Local Authorities Carbon Management Programme, which provides councils with technical and change management support and guidance to help them realise carbon emissions savings from street lighting.