CONCERNED residents have taken a dim view of Cornwall Council’s streetlight switch-off programme roll-out in Newquay following fears about the public’s safety.

Newquay Town Council is sending a letter to Cornwall Council expressing its concerns about the lack of lighting from midnight to 5am in residential areas after a number of women came forward stating they do not feel safe walking home at night. A number people have started ordering taxis due to the darkness causing a heightened sense of vulnerability, anxiety and fear of crime.

Cornwall Council’s street lighting policy involves turning off or dimming about 35,000 of its 56,000 streetlights to cut carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and reduce light pollution but many residents and councillors are now appealing to council officers to switch them back on in certain parts of Newquay such as Tretherras, Chynance Drive and St Columb Minor.

Streetlights remain fully illuminated or dimmed based on risk assessments in key areas, including town centres with active night-time economies, areas covered by CCTV and main strategic roads, traffic junctions, pedestrian crossings, and speed humps. Lights are heavily dimmed instead of completely switched off to accommodate weekend activity.

Town councillor Nick Morris said: “The area that has been mentioned by residents is the whole of the Tretherras estate.

“One young lady who lives in Bedowan Meadows works in a pub and when she walks home after a shift the last streetlight she has is at Narrowcliff. If she walks another way the last street light is at Edgcumbe Avenue. The young lady has become so scared she has started getting a taxi because she is worried what could happen to her on her way home. She just does not want to run that risk.

“She is not the only one. There have been complaints by a woman who lives on Arundell Way and another who lives in St Columb Minor. I personally would not like my daughter walking home at night with no street lights. Anything could happen.

“I know Newquay is a safe town but there are always that one or two that could spoil it. Other councillors have also been approached by residents who are concerned about the lack of street lighting. During a recent meet the councillor event at the Killacourt the lack of street lighting in residential areas was mentioned.”

Mayor Cllr Drew Creek added: “As mayor and as Cornwall councillor for Trenance, I have heard from residents that the changes have made some people reconsider walking early in the morning or late at night. While I'm not aware of any increase in crime, that anxiety matters, and I've already asked Cornwall Council officers to review lighting in my division with a view to getting the lights back on.

“Rather than a general letter from the town council, I'd encourage any resident with concerns to contact their own Cornwall councillor, who can raise specific locations directly with officers, as I have done for Trenance. That is the quickest and most effective route to getting changes made.”