Dorset to Transition Street Lighting to Warm White LED Technology
Dorset Council has announced plans to adopt a new policy regarding street lighting in response to complaints from residents in Swanage about the brightness of recently installed LED lights. While the council will implement less intense warm white LEDs in future installations, it has stated that this change will not apply retrospectively to existing bright white 4,000k LEDs, which have already replaced many sodium lights. The council is conducting a public consultation until May 4, 2025, seeking input on preferences for future lighting, including the option to dim lights at specific times. Despite the bright LEDs’ energy efficiency, concerns about light pollution and its effects on local wildlife and residents have prompted this reassessment. Town councils will be allowed to fund changes to existing lights, though financial constraints may limit these efforts. The consultation aims to refine the street lighting policy in line with community needs and environmental priorities.
