Hertfordshire County Council is to save more money by dimming LED streetlights at night. (Hertfordshire County Council/LEDinside)

Hertfordshire, a county in southern England set out to save more money to bring relief to its cash strapped county council. Already Hertfordshire County Council has trimmed funding in several areas over the past year to save funds.  Now they found another way to pay less, by dimming LED streetlights in the evening.

The  ‘dimming and trimming’ (reduced lighting ‘level’ and ‘period’) pilot is being introduced as part of our LEDs (light emitting diodes) street light rollout and will involve reducing lighting levels and periods in some areas. The existing lighting is already reduced by 25 per cent between 11pm and 6am.

LEDs not only use much less energy but also emit less CO2 than conventional lamps, helping to cut the county council’s carbon tax commitment. Dimming the lights can reduce energy consumption by 25 per cent and reducing their operating time by a few minutes each day can add up to 92 hours each year. 

Terry Douris, Cabinet Member for Highways for Hertfordshire County Council, said:  “We are always looking for ways in which we can save money for local taxpayers and protect the environment, reduce light pollution and being innovative with street lighting presents an opportunity to do both."

Residents in East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage, Three Rivers, Dacorum and Watford will be surveyed about the trial.

Interactive trials are also planned for February 2016, when lights will be dimmed in front of an invited panel of observers including the local member, local residents and the police. Hertfordshire County Council are interested in people’s views regarding the look and feel of the initiative in an effort to establish an acceptable level and period of lighting.

The trials are planned to start in January 2016 through to late February 2016, in order to capture the longer nights and they will be monitored, both on site and remotely, for up to 12 months. Thereafter, the outcome of the pilot will be reported to future Highways Cabinet Panels and residents will be notified of the outcome of the pilot.

The work is being carried out by Ringway on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council.