LED conversion programme details
Received: 1 April 2025
I have read some of the justifications for the LED street lighting conversion programme undertaken in Barnet and would like to request further detail please.1) The fundamental purpose behind the conversion programme as outlined in the document "DPR Street Lighting PFI Energy Saving Measures 2011.pdf" is energy saving. Can you please provide the data used to quantify the anticipated energy saving? (Reason - low pressure sodium lamps as commonly used in residential areas in 2011 are more energy efficient than most LEDs, so please explain how conversion from an existing sodium street light to an LED achieves an energy saving?).2) What energy saving has actually been achieved by Barnet Council as a consequence of its LED conversion programme, and how is this measured?3) In the EIA summary of 2018 it is stated that there is potentially an impact from LED conversion: "Impact to be fully assessed - it is possible that there could be an equalities impact on those who may be impacted by lighting with high colour temperatures (a consequence of white light). There are some reports that some people can be more sensitive than others.". Were the 2016 reports regarding the potential health impacts of LEDs to EVERYONE issued by the American Medical Association and Public Health England, both of which advised on the reduction of the correlated colour temperature of street lighting, taken into account? If not, why not?4) Please provide full details of the later "full assessment" of the impact of the LED conversion described in this EIA document.5) Was the report published in 2015 by the National Institute for Health Research (part of the NHS) regarding the impact of changes to street lighting taken into account? (This report includes a graphic that links street lighting with circadian rhythm disruption - through melatonin suppression - with the development of chronic illness). If not, why not?6) Barnet Council claims that its street lights are compliant with British Standards for street lighting. BS5489 (mentioned in the document "DPR Street Lighting PFI Energy Saving Measures 2011.pdf" stipulates that the brightness of street lighting to be used in residential areas is dependent upon the Environmental Zone as defined in ILP guidance document GN01. Can the Council please provide the data upon which the environmental zone for Barnet has been determined?7) What is the Environmental Zone that is currently being applied when deciding the brightness of street lighting in Barnet?
Outcome / Documents
- Response (all information to be supplied) - application/pdf - Download