Starry Starry Night

Introduction

Dark skies, moonlit and star-studded nights and the dawning of the day are part of the rich variety of our countryside. Yet nowadays much of the country is lit, often throughout the night. With more and more road lights, so-called "security" lights and floodlights we are in danger of losing our starlit skies, twilight and the emerging daybreak.

Outdoor lighting can cause intrusive and unnecessary pollution of our countryside. Poorly designed or badly aimed lights are responsible for 'skyglow'. This scattered light spills into and colours the night sky and reduces the visibility of the stars. Illuminated skies blur the separation between country and town. They reduce the feeling of remoteness in rural areas and introduce a suburban character deep into the countryside.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and the British Astronomical Association are pressing for...

• Better protection for our remaining unlit landscapes and countryside.
• Greater attention to the siting and type of lighting used both in the country and in towns, in order to reduce wasted light.
• Removal of unnecessary lighting because of its impact on the night sky.

Why?

Our countryside illustrates natural patterns and tones. In daylight these are patterns of colour and texture - shades of green or lines of the landscape. At night the patterns are of light - starlight, moonlight and shadow. But we are losing the splendour of our starlit shies and moonlight shadows as more of our surroundings are illuminated throughout the night.

The astronomers' plea to darken our skies is a warning that unless this situation is reversed, the view of the stars will be lost. With it we would lose the majestic beauty of the night skies and the scientific and cultural inspiration this has provided since ancient times.

Problems from Lighting

Lighting is needed in many areas in the interest of public safety and it can enhance the appearance of some public buildings. But a lot of external lighting is poorly designed and misdirected. Some is unnecessary. Much is wasteful and intrusive.

Particular problems arise from...

• New poorly designed street lighting in small villages.
• Increasing ribbons of road lights cutting right through our countryside.
• Illuminated shop windows and advertising signs left on overnight.
• Badly designed lighting in car parks, stations and shopping centres.
• Over-bright domestic security lighting flooding the neighbourhood in bright light.
• Badly floodlit sports facilities, such as golf driving ranges, or motorway service areas which bathe rural areas in brightness.
• New housing estates or shopping complexes with discordant lighting, often much more intrusive than neighbouring lighting.

Safety and security may not always be improved by lighting. Bright lights are not necessarily any more effective than a low level of light. Dazzling lights cause deep shadows which can compromise security around warehouses, car parks and homes.

Road lighting may discourage drivers from adjusting to night conditions, such as reducing speed and acting more cautiously. And new roads are often accompanied by threads of light, further eroding our remaining dark areas.

(picture courtesy DMSP)
Europe at night, showing relative densities of light pollution.

The CPRE and the BAA want action now. We need...

• Government planning guidance on when and how to control lighting in order to reduce light pollution and energy waste.
• Local authority planning policies which protect unlit landscapes and countryside and which control lighting in new development.
• Light pollution recognised as a statutory nuisance, similar to noise pollution.
• Full assessment of lighting proposals in roads and other development schemes.
• Local authorities to review the impact of existing lighting and with lighting engineers to put forward schemes to reduce this impact.
• Recognition by the Department of Transport that mechanisms other than lighting have a role in reducing night-time accidents.
• Guidance for planners, highway authorities and developers on the most efficient and effective lighting systems, in particular systems which limit upward light.
• Information for the public on minimising intrusive lighting through the use of low intensity, sensor- or time controlled and well-directed domestic lighting systems.
• All new domestic outdoor lighting systems to include information on correct installation to minimise light pollution

Examples

Sedgwick Parish Council was concerned that for safety and security reasons it seemed necessary to provide street lighting in its small rural Cumbrian village. The cost was off-putting but so was the potential effect on the dark night sky. A 'Low energy lighting scheme' has been adopted. Rather than installing separate street lighting householders are given or encouraged to purchase low energy light bulbs for their outside lights and to leave them on for the benefit of the whole village. As the scheme gathers momentum the result is adequately lit streets at minimal cost with little light pollution.

Street lighting in Stratford St. Mary - part of the country between Colchester and Ipswich made famous by Constable - meant up to 40 bright modern street lights in this historic village. The County Council was only prepared to contribute to a 'full lighting scheme'. After pressure from many residents and from Dedham Vale Society a compromise plan is being implemented with only 20 lamps, albeit in 'Victorian' style. The County Council has agreed to change its policy and to contribute to the reduced scheme and the Dedham Vale Society has produced guidance on lighting in this sensitive landscape.

Poorly directed light colours the sky and blocks out the stars.

Downward directed light systems minimise light spillage and sky glow.

What You Can Do

• Press for planning policies to protect unlit countryside and to reduce light pollution.

Local authorities are becoming increasingly concerned about light pollution. Structure and local plans prepared by local authorities should include policies on light pollution. Here are some examples...

• Ask for lighting details to be included in individual planning applications.

Make sure lighting is absolutely necessary, that it will be switched off when not required and that the best designs are adopted to reduce sky glow. 'It is estimated that if all the wasted light could be used, we could light one city free for every two that we pay for'

• Check whether road schemes include lighting proposals and seek public consultation over proposals to light existing roads.

Road lighting is justified in order to reduce accidents, but enforcing the speed limit and encouraging safer driving would make our roads safer both night and day. 'Dark landscapes, where there is little or no exterior lighting within visual range of the road, need special consideration.' (Road Lighting and the Environment, Department of Transport 1993)

• Make your contribution by reducing light pollution where you live.

Do you need outside lights? If so they should be low intensity, directed downwards and have time or sensor controls. High powered security floodlights are usually less effective than softer lights. 'At night you often see not a dark sky filled with stars but a bright, all-enveloping and intrusive orange glow, more "nightmare" then "nightscape". This happens because British towns and cities are encumbered with lighting schemes the individual elements of which are too bright.' (Lighten Our Darkness, Royal Fine Art Commission 1994)