Residents of Oxfordshire have voiced their frustration over the county council's recent handling of proposed changes to streetlighting. The plans, dubbed "Dark Skies," aimed to turn off streetlights between 11:30 PM and 6 AM as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote biodiversity. But the council's announcement to defer the decision came after significant public backlash.
Dr. Pete Sudbury, the deputy leader of the council responsible for climate change and the environment, made the call to delay the proposal until more extensive discussions could occur with the community and local police. He expressed his belief during the council meeting on November 14th, stating, "The collected wisdom in these responses is really valuable in helping us chart a way forward."
The council met with 12 speakers present, and many more expressed their concerns through written feedback. Despite the deferment, criticism emerged around the initial lack of consultation prior to putting the proposal on the table. Sudbury defended the decision by explaining it was merely meant for consideration rather than being finalized policy.
"It was not a made policy. It was a policy coming here to be considered," Sudbury remarked. Yet, the public document surrounding the proposals contradicted this statement, indicating there would not be formal consultation or public input on the overall implementation of part-night lighting.
Labour city and county councillor Susanna Pressel added her voice to the discontent, advocating for the Dark Skies initiative but criticizing how it had been approached. Pressel remarked, "But you have set this cause back years by the clumsy way you’ve handled this issue. You need to take people with you," emphasizing her concerns about the proposal lacking inclusive discourse.
Adding to the furor, fellow councillor Liz Brighouse argued passionately for the women's safety aspect, denouncing the proposals as being written without considering the needs of women and girls. She highlighted how reducing streetlight coverage could increase their fears for personal safety at night. "A reduction in streetlighting cannot be in urban areas where we have to make sure the lives of women and girls are not affected..." Brighouse stated.
Post-meeting, Sudbury reflected on the discussions and sentiments shared during the meeting. He noted, "One thing becomes clear: people often express how these proposals might or might not work where they live," reiterasting the idea of implementing policies suited for individual communities rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
Meanwhile, the council's recent actions did not stop at lighting. On the same day as the streetlight discussions, they also approved parking restrictions affecting various areas such as East Oxford and Woodstock. The approval occurred during another council meeting, where Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) were sanctioned by Andrew Gant, the cabinet member for transport management.
Parking regulations received mixed reviews, especially concerning Iffley Village and Rose Hill. Residents raised alarms about consultations conducted prior, indicating strong opposition against enforceable parking restrictions, particularly for areas like Iffley Borders and other residential sections. Labour county councillor Trish Elphinstone expressed skepticism, noting, "The views expressed in Iffley Village are very different to the views expressed in Iffley Borders," and pointed out the potential financial burden on residents.
Brad Baines, another county councillor for Iffley, echoed concerns about the necessity of such restrictions, stating, "Residents feel there isn’t a parking problem in their area." Their concerns extend to preserving community points such as churches and village halls from potential parking impacts due to the new restrictions.
Despite the controversies, Gant reinforced his belief in CPZs. He stated, "They safeguard immunity for residents. It does not do harm to residents; it does the opposite—it brings benefit to residents." He emphasized the importance of road space as public good, affirming the measures as tried and tested solutions.
Alongside the CPZs approved for Iffley, additional proposals are set to be explored, allowing residents for permit eligibility across numerous streets, including Annora Close and Villiers Lane. Meanwhile, Woodstock will see the introduction of paid parking bays and double yellow lines following another round of formal consultations, as Gant attempted to clarify the necessity of these measures based on community input.
This series of discussions and approvals raise questions about how Oxfordshire County Council plans to bridge the gap with the community on important decisions like these. Moving forward, significant masses of residents are eagerly awaiting more inclusive conversations around future policies and changes affecting their daily lives.
Both the lighting changes and parking restrictions highlight the importance of community engagement and transparency within local government contexts. What remains now is whether the council will reevaluate its approach and work hard to rebuild trust with the residents it serves.
