Oh dear,
are you guys upsetting us poor old Council workers again!
Council is obliged to follow up any, and i mean "any" public request made in writing or verbally to a council representative. they must do so within a given timeframe (different councils different target goals for the month).
Now it should be noted here that the owner of the offending device is responsible to its care and effectiveness. First and foremost Councils are responsible to the public using the footway. then you may have other statutory authorities who may own the infrastructure in question. it may not be the council but another local authority, (mainroad dept). Now if the light is tresspassing into the property it can do this within limits, its called spill lighting. if this spill lighting is of high enough lumens and is affecting the health and well being of the resident then the Authority is obliged to rectify the situation through a better lighting installation, relocation, removal and alteration to the residents well being (CUt offs installed).
But Council staff who really don't give a rats, they don't live there, they are not sympathetic to Astronomy, or any other local loony. You will find the lighting bill for local councils of a moderate size will be a few million dollars per year, thats just the energy bill. the price of safer driving and walking at night??? I think not, but they do.
Follow anthony's example and write a letter and follow up on it, but arm yourself with AS4282 (remember this is only a guide, they don't have to follow it) the Council's energy budget, any support from neighbours (maybe?) and if you really do want to do something give a presentation and associated factual costs and budgetary savings to infrastructure replacement programme over a 5-10year period and savings in energy costs and infrastructure improvements, and most of all, less light pollution.
I personally rejected 22 lighting requests for people wanting something lit up because they thought is was safer. One was a hospital! More lights does not necessarily make it safer!!! Stick within the standards, and guides and look for practical solutions for remediation to your problem. get that Council bludger onside with you
after all they will be the one making the decision, not the elected body (they are only advised)
