Matt Warman, MP for Boston and Skegness, has welcomed Lincolnshire County Council’s announcement of a review into the area’s street lighting policy.

After calls to have more lights on for longer in some areas, the Council has committed to consider the impact of the recent policy change to turn some lights off after midnight. The thorough review will start in September, and is expected to take six months. It will consider issues including the impact on crime rates, emergency services and the environment, as well as fears about safety.

Matt met with residents of the Woad Farm area of Boston in the spring to discuss their concern about the policy change, and subsequently called on the Council to look at cases such as theirs, where there was a clear need for additional lighting.

Matt said, “I very much recognise that many residents and business across Boston and Skegness have concerns about reduced street lighting in some areas, especially as the nights start to draw in after the summer. I am pleased that the Council have recognised the need for residents to feel secure and will look at the impact of the policy change. It’s a change I called for and which has been delivered by new Conservative councillors working with the County Council.

It is welcome news that the committee will also look at other councils who have changed their street lighting policy, so that they can learn best practice for our region. The scope of the review is much wider than the Council has initially planned and look forward to supporting their work when it commences in September. The council has already made some adjustments to the policy, such as in Sutterton so it lines up with working patterns. I would certainly encourage residents to put forward their concerns as well so that real evidence can be collated.”