Street lights
In Kent, there are
around:
- 120,000 street lights
- 14,000 lit signs
- 5,500 lit bollards.
We own and look after most of the street lights in Kent. Parish,
district and town councils own and look after some and
some are privately owned.
The street lights on motorways and trunk roads are looked after
by the Highways Agency, so any faults should be
reported using their helpline (0300 123 5000).
The lights that we own have a code (such as 'ABCD123')
on the side of the column which is used to identify the light.
The code is similar to a house post code and tells us where
the light is located when faults are reported.
Faulty street lights
If you see a faulty street light, please report it to us by
using our online
fault reporting form or by calling 0300 333 5539.
To help us find and repair the fault as quickly as
possible please provide us with as much information as you
can. Such as:
- the code on the side of the column
- the number of the house the light is outside
- the name of the road
- the name of the town or village
- what is wrong with the light.
The more information we have when the fault is reported, the
quicker we can identify the correct course of action and repair the
light.
The two main reasons street lights stop working are faulty
equipment in the street light, such as a bulb failing or problems
with the electricity supply.
On average, 98% of the street lights we own are operational at
any time. We aim to visit the 2% that are not
working within 10 working days and try to fix the
problem immediately. If repairs cannot be carried out on the
first visit, further parts are ordered and the repair is
planned as soon as possible, normally within 28 days.
If there is a problem with the electricity supply to the light,
we will need to inform the electricity supplier, so it could take a
little longer to get the light back on.
What can I do about a street light outside my house shining
into my windows?
Street lights are designed to light the highway, including the
footway. Modern lights are designed to put light where it is
needed.
However, on occasions, the light intended for the footway may
shine on surrounding properties.
If a street light is causing you problems, you should talk to us
as making an adjustment to the setting may solve the
problem. If this does not work, we can try other things such
as fitting a screen or shield to blank out part of the light,
however there may be a charge for this
if we have not made any recent changes.
Sometimes it is not possible to completely get rid of the
problem, as this may prevent the street light from being effective
so we may need to find a compromise.
When are the street lights switched on?
There are no specific hours for the lights to be on, they switch
on and off automatically depending on the levels of daylight.
Energy Saving Initiative
Street lighting energy currently costs Kent tax payers
around £5.8m per year, a cost which is likely to keep on rising.
The cost to the environment is 29,000 tonnes of carbon emissions
and intense light pollution.
Due to rising energy costs, we are considering reducing the
amount of electricity used by street lights by:
- shutting off certain lights for part of the night
- shutting off certain lights for the whole night
When considering any changes, we will always consider community
and road safety and consult with the emergency services.
Find out more about what we are doing to reduce these costs by
reading about our Safe and Sensible Street
Lighting Energy Saving Initiative.