'Dimmer switch' for street lights

The new lights will be operational by the autumn

Stirling Council has denied claims that plans to install street lights with adjustable light levels will lead to an increase in crime.

The local authority is set to trial 300 of the new lights, each fitted with remotely controlled dimmers, in a bid to cut energy bills and CO2 emissions.

The lighting will be installed in Whins of Milton, Cowie and Bannockburn at a cost of £600,000.

The scheme is expected to be fully operational by the autumn.

The new lights will replace conventional street lights, which cannot be manipulated to reflect changing conditions and could reduce energy costs by nearly a third.

They work by collecting information from traffic and weather sensors to provide appropriate dimming levels.

The astronomical clock will switch the lamps on and off depending on the position of the sun.

Stirling Council's street lighting team leader Peter Nowek said dimming lights by 30% made no perceivable difference to the naked eye.

We are able to dim the lamps in the middle of the night to reduce energy consumption when less light is required Peter Nowek Stirling Council

He added: "Increasing electricity prices is responsible for the majority of the increase in street lighting operational budgets so it's paramount that we find solutions to identify street lighting failures as well as to measure, analyse and reduce electricity consumption, in order to reduce energy spending, decrease maintenance costs and contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

"This new system allows us to do all that.

"We are able to dim the lamps in the middle of the night to reduce energy consumption when less light is required."

A spokeswoman for Central Scotland Police said the force was unconcerned by the pilot scheme.

She said: "The council are replacing low pressure sodium (yellow) lights with high pressure sodium (white) lights.

"Even if that is dimmed by a small percentage that will still mean an improvement in street lighting levels.

"White light allows for better definition and allows people to see further and more clearly."

The council, which currently maintains about 14,000 street lights across the area, said the expansion of the pilot depended on future government funding.