A year after the decision to switch off the street lighting in Wetteren at night, we carried out an evaluation together with Fluvius and the mayor and aldermen decided to adjust the extinguishing plan. The lighting will remain on for one hour longer from approximately mid-November 2023. After adjustment by Fluvius, the lights will go out between midnight and 5 a.m. from Sunday night to Thursday night. On Friday and Saturday nights the lights remain on all night.
Evaluation after one year
In October 2022, the board decided to switch off street lighting between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., with the exception of regional roads, the station area and areas where road and sewerage works are underway. Almost a year after the decision was made, we carried out a thorough evaluation together with Fluvius and the local police. We examined crime and accident statistics, citizen reports and the impact on the municipality’s finances and the environment.
Research crime and accident figures
Together with the local police, we investigated the burglary, crime and accident statistics in Wetteren. We found that turning off public lighting does not have a major impact on these figures. Switching off the lighting does cause a subjective feeling of insecurity.
Reports from citizens
We received 25 reports by email and via the online reporting point. There were about 5 reports of accidents with physical damage. The other reports concerned the (subjective) feeling of insecurity, fear of more burglaries and a number of reports of defective lighting.
Financial and environmental benefits
Wetteren saved 52,000 euros with the extinguishing plan in the period from November 2022 to July 2023. But in addition to financial benefits, extinguishing street lighting also has a positive impact on ecology and biodiversity.
Extinguish street lights
Because of these arguments, the mayor and aldermen have decided to adjust the extinguishing plan in Wetteren. From now on, the lighting will remain on for one hour longer and – after adjustment by Fluvius – will be extinguished between midnight and 5 a.m. from Sunday night to Thursday night. The lights remain on on Friday and Saturday nights.
Investing in LED lighting
We continue to invest in LED lighting. By the spring of 2024, we will install 800 new fixtures, increasing the number of LED lamps in street lighting by almost 50%. Fluvius wants to replace all traditional lighting with LED lighting by 2028 and will invest heavily in renewing our street lighting in the coming years.