LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Paris at night (pre Covid). France has already taken steps to limit light pollution and blue light

‘I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE UK GOVERNMENT SET LIMITS ON BLUE LIGHT’

The levels of competence in LED specification really do concern me, they are quite alarming in fact.

Quite by chance, I recently came across a public lighting scheme that is off the scale in its blue light component but it was also delivered with significant flicker.

I have absolutely no doubt that public health, safety for pedestrians and motorists alike are being compromised in our dash to carbon reduction in the name of saving the planet.

It’s not all doom and gloom. There are some great initiatives out there with very low light levels or, indeed, even switch-off regimes in place and those should be highly commended.

But, make no mistake, high-blue content LED impacts fauna considerably and there is increasing evidence of concerns for human wellbeing too at light levels that are present in street/urban lighting.

If you care to look in the right places, the fauna disruption an hour after dusk is plain for all to see. A move to 2700K sources effectively reduces the amount of blue light component by over 50% over a 4000K choice and should, in my opinion, be considered standard good practice.

It is my belief that we have failed, and continue to fail, the public with LED installs that become increasingly questionable both in lighting performance, glare uniformity and wet weather, not to mention its suitability for an ageing populace and other unwanted impacts.

‘LACKLUSTRE’ ATTITUDE

Just the other day yet another local authority faced a barrage of criticism. I spoke with it at length pre-tender and forwarded all the performance and impact research at its request. It didn’t even bother to download it. Now surprise, surprise, the public is calling foul yet again.

We also need to recognise we have an even bigger elephant in the room as we start the dash to full-spectrum light for interiors. Without auto blinds function, occupancy and curfew control we risk further catastrophic devastation of the natural world.

One has to be concerned about the lacklustre attitude of Public Health England (now of course being replaced anyway), local authorities and other specifying bodies such as Highways England and, indeed, industry bodies and supply chain.

France and a number of other countries have already taken steps to limit abuse of this new technology. If you care to read the French Standards Anses (the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) report, it clearly sets out why the French pushed through legislation promptly [1].

To recap, that legislation, the ‘Decree of 27 December 2018 on the prevention, reduction and limitation of light pollution’, which came into effect at the beginning of 2019, sets out outdoor lighting curfews, limits on allowed emissions of light directly into the night sky, reduced glare requirements, restriction on blue light emissions, and allowable illumination levels [2].

It was also interesting to read recently of a successful legal challenge in the US to a bridge lighting scheme, where a judge ordered the lighting to be replaced with 2700K to reduce the impact on wildlife.

Although it is very much my own opinion, I feel it is time for UK government to do the same and be equally proactive, to push back against self-interest and ensure that ‘good’ lighting remains the priority.

I would like to see the UK government set limits on blue light, much as the French government has done, and beef up planning regulations, again much in line with the action plan recently proposed by All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dark Skies [3].

Brian Healy MSLL is owner of Bright Design Carbon Solutions

[1] ‘LEDs & blue light: health effects of lighting systems using light-emitting diodes (LEDs)’, Anses, September 2020, https://www.anses.fr/en/content/leds-blue-light [2] ‘France Adopts National Light Pollution Policy Among Most Progressive In The World’, International Dark-Sky Association, January 2019, https://www.darksky.org/france-light-pollution-law-2018/; ‘Arrêté du 27 décembre 2018 relatif à la prévention, à la réduction et à la limitation des nuisances lumineuses’, https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000037864346?r=uYgvaZU0Hm [3] ‘Ten Dark Sky policies for the government’, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dark Skies, December 2020, https://appgdarkskies.co.uk/

HERBIE BARNIEH

BEng IEng MILP PROJECT CENTRE

LONDON WC1X 9HD T: 0330 135 8950, 077954 75570 HERBIE.BARNIEH@PROJECTCENTRE.CO.UK

WWW.PROJECTCENTRE.CO.UK

Efficient, innovative, and bespoke lighting design services from an award winning consultancy. Experienced in delivering exterior lighting projects from feasibility studies to post construction. Whether it’s highway, street, or public realm lighting, let us assist you to realise your project goals.

STEVEN BIGGS

IEng MILP

MILESTONE INFRASTRUCTURE

PETERBOROUGH PE1 5XG T: 07834 506705 STEVEN.BIGGS@MILESTONEINFRA.CO.UK

MILESTONEINFRA.CO.UK

Award winning lighting design specialists, delivering innovative design, installation and maintenance solutions in highways, public realm, commercial and architectural environments. Our HERS registered team provide design strategies, impact assessment, technical & certifier support.

BONNIE BROOKS

BA(Hons) BEng (Hons) MSc CEng MSLL MCIBSE MILP

ILLUME DESIGN LTD

EXETER EX4 1NF T: 07840 054601, E: INFO@ILLUME-DESIGN.CO.UK

WWW.ILLUME-DESIGN.CO.UK

Professional independent lighting design consultancy providing designs for all exterior applications, including street lighting. Specialists in assisting at the planning application stage with designs, strategies, lighting impact assessments, and expert witness, with a focus on mitigating ecological and environmental impacts.

JASON MCNULTY

BEng (Hons) MIET

4WAY CONSULTING LTD

LEAMINGTON SPA, CV31 3RG T: 01926 832799 E: JASON.MCNULTY@4WAYCONSULTING.COM

WWW.4WAYCONSULTING.COM

Providing exterior lighting and ITS consultancy and design services and specialising in the urban and inter-urban environment. Our services span the complete project life cycle for both the public and private sector.

STEPHEN HALLIDAY

EngTech AMILP

WSP

MANCHESTER M50 3SP T: 0161 886 2532 E: STEPHEN.HALLIDAY@WSPGROUP.COM

WWW.WSPGROUP.COM

Public and private sector professional services providing design, technical support, contract and policy development for all applications of exterior lighting and power from architectural to sports, area and highways applications. PFI technical advisor and certifier support, HERS registered personnel.

STEPHEN HIGHAM

IEng MILP

SHD LIGHTING CONSULTANCY LTD

BOLTON BL2 6SE M: 07834 490 192 E: STEVE@SHDLIGHTING.CO.UK

WWW.SHDLIGHTING.CO.UK

Outdoor lighting consultancy specialising in adoptable highway and private lighting designs. Our services include Section 38, Section 278, Car Park lighting designs, Commercial floodlighting schemes and environmental impact lighting assessment reporting. Qualified design team with 24 years’ experience in exterior lighting.

ALISTAIR SCOTT

BSc (Hons) CEng FILP MHEA DESIGNS FOR LIGHTING LTD

WINCHESTER SO23 7TA T: 01962 855080 M: 07790 022414 E: ALISTAIR@DFL-UK.COM

WWW.DFL-UK.COM

Professional lighting design consultancy offering technical advice, design and management services for exterior/interior applications for highway, architectural, area, tunnel and commercial lighting. Advisors on lighting and energy saving strategies, asset management, visual impact assessments and planning.

ANTHONY SMITH

IEng FILP

STAINTON LIGHTING DESIGN SERVICES LTD

STOCKTON ON TEES TS23 1PX T: 01642 565533, E: ENQUIRIES@STAINTONLDS.CO.UK

WWW.STAINTONLDS.CO.UK

Specialist in: motorway, highway schemes, illumination of buildings, major structures, public artworks, amenity area lighting, public spaces, car parks, sports lighting, asset management, reports, plans, assistance, maintenance management, electrical design and communication network design. Registered personnel.

NICK SMITH

IEng FILP MIES

NICK SMITH ASSOCIATES LIMITED

CHESTERFIELD, S40 3JR T: 01246 229444 E: MAIL@NICKSMITHASSOCIATES.COM

WWW.NICKSMITHASSOCIATES.CO.UK

Specialist exterior lighting consultant. Private and adopted lighting and electrical design for highways, car parks, area and sports lighting. Lighting Impact assessments, expert witness and CPD accredited Lighting design AutoCAD and Lighting Reality training courses.

SIMON BUSHELL

MBA DMS IEng MILP SSE CONTRACTING

PORTSMOUTH PO6 1UJ T: +44 (0)2392276403 M: 07584 313990 E: SIMON.BUSHELL@SSE.COM

WWW.SSECONTRACTING.CO.UK

Professional consultancy from the UK’s and Irelands largest external lighting contractor. From highways and tunnels, to architectural and public spaces our electrical and lighting designers also provide impact assessments, lighting and carbon reduction strategies along with whole installation packages.

LORRAINE CALCOTT

IEng MILP IALD MSLL ILA BSS

IT DOES LIGHTING LTD

THE CUBE, 13 STONE HILL, TWO MILE ASH, MILTON KEYNES, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, MK8 8DN T: 01908 560110 E: INFORMATION@ITDOES.CO.UK

WWW.ITDOES.CO.UK

Award winning lighting design practice specialising in interior, exterior, flood and architectural lighting. Emphasis on section 278/38, public realm, ecology receptor mitigation and supporting Councils with planning approvals, CDM2015 and SBD accredited. Specialists in circadian spectrally specific lighting design.

ALLAN HOWARD

BEng(Hons) CEng FILP FSLL

WSP

LONDON WC2A 1AF T: 07827 306483 E: ALLAN.HOWARD@WSPGROUP.COM

WWW.WSPGROUP.COM

Professional artificial and daylight lighting services covering design, technical support, contract and policy development including expert advice and analysis to develop and implement energy and carbon reduction strategies. Expert witness regarding obtrusive lighting, light nuisance and environmental impact investigations. registered personnel.

ALAN JAQUES

IEng FILP ATKINS

NOTTINGHAM, NG9 2HF T: +44 (0)115 9574900 M: 07834 507070 E: ALAN.JAQUES@ATKINSGLOBAL.COM

WWW.ATKINSGLOBAL.COM

Professional consultancy providing technical advice, design and management services for exterior and interior applications including highway, architectural, area, tunnel and commercial lighting. Advisors on energy saving strategies, asset management, visual impact assessments and planning.

ALAN TULLA

IEng FILP FSLL

ALAN TULLA LIGHTING

WINCHESTER, SO22 4DS T: 01962 855720 M:0771 364 8786 E: ALAN@ALANTULLALIGHTING.COM

WWW.ALANTULLALIGHTING.COM

Site surveys of sports pitches, road lighting and offices. Architectural lighting for both interior and exterior. Visual Impact Assessments for planning applications. Specialises in problem solving and out-of-the-ordinary projects.

MICHAEL WALKER

IEng MILP CMS MCCANN LTD

NOTTINGHAM NG9 6DQ M: 07939 896887 E: M.WALKER@JMCCANN.CO.UK

WWW.MCCANN-LTD.CO.UK

Design for all types of exterior lighting including street lighting, car parks, floodlighting, decorative lighting, and private lighting. Independent advice regarding light trespass, carbon reduction and invest to save strategies. Asset management, data capture, inspection and testing services available.

MARK CHANDLER

EngTech AMILP

MMA LIGHTING CONSULTANCY LTD

READING RG10 9QN T: 0118 3215636 E: MARK@MMA-CONSULTANCY.CO.UK

WWW.MMA-CONSULTANCY.CO.UK

Exterior lighting consultant’s who specialise in all aspects of street lighting design, section 38’s, section 278’s, project management and maintenance assistance. We also undertake lighting appraisals and environmental lighting studies

PATRICK REDMOND

HDip Bus, EngTech AMILP, AMSLL, Tech IEI

REDMOND ANALYTICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD.

M: + 353 (0)86 2356356 E: PATRICK@REDMONDAMS.IE

WWW.REDMONDAMS.IE

Independent expert lighting design services for all exterior and interior lighting applications. We provide sustainable lighting solutions and associated electrical designs. Our services include PSDP for lighting projects, network contractor auditing, and GPS site surveys for existing installations.

PETER WILLIAMS

EngTech AMILP

WILLIAMS LIGHTING CONSULTANTS LTD.

BEDFORD, MK41 6AG T: 01608642530 E: PETER.WILLIAMS@WLCLIGHTING.CO.UK

WWW.WLCLIGHTING.CO.UK

Specialists in the preparation of quality and effective street lighting design solutions for Section 38, Section 278 and other highway projects. We also prepare lighting designs for other exterior applications. Our focus is on delivering solutions that provide best value.

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