Street lights on the A4155 at Thames Farm: Leave them on or turn them off?

Street lights were erected along the A4155 at Thames Farm to protect residents of the new estate when they were using the new footpath.

Given that the Thames Farm site has been mothballed pending the resolution of the much-publicised technical issues, I have been asked why the street lights are turned on at night, as the new footpath currently doesn't really go anywhere and is barely used.

 I would be interested in hearing further views. As the lights are in place, might they as well be turned on, or are they an urbanising source of light pollution and should be turned off for the time being?

 What do you think?

Posted by: David Bartholomew | 08/02/2021 5:53 pm

Thank you to the respondents below and to all those who have emailed me directly. The result is a resounding- almost unanimous -OFF! I have discussed the matter with OCC officers and they will take it up with Taylor Wimpey, who would have to agree. There may need to be a safety audit. I will update everybody when I have further news.

Posted by: David Bartholomew | 17/02/2021 12:56 pm

Lights off please.

Posted by: Janet Thompson | 16/02/2021 8:11 am

Def off please.

Posted by: Tudor Taylor | 15/02/2021 11:42 am

I would like them to be off please. It is unnecessary light pollution and a waste of electricity, thus causing further pollution. I agree the new fence is also pretty unsightly.

Posted by: Emer Bollinghaus | 13/02/2021 8:41 pm

Definitely off. No point, waste of electricity, light pollution, awful view, not fitting for our village. Also agree recent fence very ugly and should be replaced.

Posted by: Rosie Pitkeathley | 11/02/2021 5:34 pm

To reiterate, yes please... keep the lights off but further to the last comment, the wooden fencing is also pretty unattractive. More importantly, with wooden fencing we can no longer see what Taylor Wimpey are up to!

Posted by: Louisa Hall | 11/02/2021 2:35 pm

Would definitely like the lights switched off, such a waste of electricity and so unattractive. Further to previous correspondence, when can we expect the Builders to remove the Heros fencing still there, most unsightly.

Posted by: Julian Morse | 11/02/2021 2:19 pm

Off please as it’s a waste of money/ bad for the environment and urbanises the village.

Posted by: Rachael Speirs | 11/02/2021 12:36 pm

Definitely off, please.

Posted by: Sandra Greenslade | 10/02/2021 4:04 pm

Definitely OFF! Are people aware of the terribly detrimental effects of night lighting on our wildlife? It's bad enough in the village with many gardens and house walls now lit up in the evenings and even overnight, further diminishing our insect and bird life and ruining our night skies. It is still possible to walk up New Road on a clear night and see the wonderful constellations. Villages are meant to be dark at night, if people want the bright lights they should live in towns and cities!

Posted by: Elaine Fowler | 09/02/2021 9:11 pm

OFF. Who paid to install lights, who is paying for electricity? Light pollution and global warming from fuel burnt to generate electricity and manufacture lights. Thames Farm is lose-lose. Geoffrey Baldwin

Posted by: Geoff Baldwin | 09/02/2021 8:46 pm

Lights on! Heaven forbit that anyone useing the bus at night may be able to actually see where they are going!

Posted by: louise webb | 09/02/2021 7:31 pm

Definitely off. And also turn off the car park lights at the new build watch workshop Bremont, I don’t think they’ve moved in yet? When they do, limit lights to working hours timeline

Posted by: Marnie McKendrick | 09/02/2021 7:17 pm

Leave them off (for ever)

Posted by: PHILIP BIGGS | 09/02/2021 6:14 pm

As they are not serving their intended purpose at present and wasting electricity, best to turn them off.

Posted by: Eric Lefebure | 09/02/2021 2:46 pm

Lights definitely off, no need to highlight the long fence that is being erected.

Posted by: Val Brooks | 09/02/2021 1:52 pm

Leave the lights off, they are not necessary.

Posted by: Julian Morse | 09/02/2021 12:26 pm

Turn off the lights. Light pollution. Looks like a runway. What about the tree planting?

Posted by: Pauline Dixon | 09/02/2021 11:59 am

The lights are ridiculous & unnecessary and should be switched off.

Posted by: Paul Dixon | 09/02/2021 11:56 am

Definitely OFF. Geoff & Pippa Thomad

Posted by: Pippa THOMAS | 09/02/2021 11:18 am

100% turn them off, totally unnecessary. And whilst they are at it look at how to control the speeding that the new 'open' road layout has encouraged.

Posted by: Martyn Watkins | 09/02/2021 11:10 am

Definitely off. Louisa Hall

Posted by: Louisa Hall | 09/02/2021 8:58 am

Definitely off, please

Posted by: Wendy Nicholson | 08/02/2021 11:04 pm

Off please. Definitely not needed at the moment, too much light pollution in a rural area and a waste of electricity

Posted by: Liz james | 08/02/2021 9:02 pm

As we are all out walking locally for our exercise, the lit area provides a welcome diverted extension to our daily walks. Please leave them on as we need to engage in the inevitable change and welcome the much needed family housing.Louise Webb.

Posted by: louise webb | 08/02/2021 8:01 pm

Off, please.

Posted by: Malcolm Hall | 08/02/2021 6:53 pm

Definitely off

Posted by: Penny Gregory | 08/02/2021 6:42 pm

Definitely turn off please. Totally out of keeping and unnecessarily adding to light pollution. On another note, I messaged the council to tell them that the speed sign at the Memorial had not been reinstated after the works. Eventually it has been put back but is pointing in the wrong direction! I have messaged then since but still no correction - I will persist, but just messaging in case anyone else is doing the same.

Posted by: Karen Watkins | 08/02/2021 6:36 pm

I think definitely ‣an urbanizing source of light pollution ‣ Completely unnecessary.

Posted by: Sara Morse | 08/02/2021 6:02 pm