News Source:

Lancashire Telegraph

The English town Blackburn, locates approximately 20.9 miles north of Manchester, received LED streetlight replacement about one week ago. The retrofit accidentally led to one local family sleepless for several nights.

(Photo Courtesy of Jim Richardson.)

As described by the villager, Stuart Wild, the LED streetlights on the opposite side of the road from their cottage emit an unnatural glare. Even worse, the glare’s so strong that they feel it’s brighter in the evening than in the day.

Streetlights in Blackburn and Darwen received GBP 9 million (US $) upgrade that includes the replacement of 40-year-old conventional streetlights one and half year ago. The project was expected to save the council more energy and maintenance expense.

Places like highway welcomes better visibility in the evening, but apparently that is not the case for local villagers’ window side.

Stuart Wild urges the council to consider solutions such as replacing the light with more suitable models, employing dimming technology, adding shields to the LED streetlights or simply seal the back of the light with black paint.

Wild has contacted local MP for further assistance upon the issue. And Blackburn with Darwen’s environment boss, Jim Smith, also pledged to look in to the problem.

It’s possible that Wild and his family are not the sole sufferers within the area. Many other local villagers may have encountered similar problem at different levels.

It’s suggested that the council listen to opinions of local citizens before undergoing LED streetlights replacement. Also, selecting LED streetlights with suitable color temperature for residential areas could reduce glare and skyglow.