PARLIAMENTARY PURPOSE

Light on Westminster

PARLIAMENTARY PURPOSE

In the first of a new occasional column going behind the scenes on lighting issues at Westminster, Liberal Democrat Peer Chris Rennard outlines how the ILP is engaging with the work of two new lighting-related allparty parliamentary groups

By Chris Rennard

The April edition of the Lighting Journal caught my eye for its cover feature on Whitfield Gardens in Camden (‘All the people’, vol 86 no 4). An overgrown and unwelcoming public square, and a space that felt unsafe for many, has been transformed. Sensitive and appropriate lighting has been critical to making it feel warm, welcoming, and safe.

It made me reflect on some of my recent virtual meetings with MPs and Peers as we considered lighting issues.

Whilst few parliamentarians have been able to participate physically in the chambers, debates and committees have continued and (much like for the rest of the population) Zoom or Teams has enabled as many meetings of all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) as ever.

The journal has previously reported on how different groups of MPs and Peers have met to consider the issues of dark skies and the night-time economy (‘Star bright’, January 2021, vol 86 no 1 and ‘MPs focus on night economy’, February 2021, vol 86, no 2).

DARK SKIES APPG

The initiative for an APPG to look at dark skies came from Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs, and Lord Martin Rees of Ludlow, the Astronomer Royal and former president of the Royal Astronomical Society.

The group received almost 200 submissions in response to its call for evidence. It then published the document Ten Dark Sky policies for the government[1]. The ILP, led by Technical Director Peter Harrison, provided expert guidance on the recommendations.

Policies at all levels of government need to help reduce obtrusive light. They should discourage the installation of inappropriate products that are too powerful and which can be left on all night, causing glare and distress to neighbours, and spoiling the night environment.

More local authorities need to follow best practice in implementing policies that embrace variable lighting levels to their street lighting as need changes during the night. Above all, better education and the involvement of lighting professionals in drawing up appropriate policies is required.

NIGHT ECONOMY APPG

The aims of the APPG for the night-time economy are not necessarily contradictory.

Economic recovery post pandemic requires people returning to town centres at night, and visiting tourist attractions in the evenings and so on.

The relevance of lighting to public safety can be disputed, but fear of crime can certainly be mitigated by good lighting, combined with appropriate use of CCTV.

Home Office minister Kit Malthouse told MPs in March that the government’s Safer Streets Fund would get an additional £20m in 2021/22 on top of £25m in 2020/21 [2].

This is to support 52 areas across England and Wales that are persistently and disproportionately affected by neighbourhood and acquisitive crimes, such as burglary, robbery and theft.

He said: ‘The fund is being used by Police and Crime Commissioners to invest in well evidenced, physical crime prevention measures, such as improved street lighting and CCTV.’

ILP EVIDENCE GATHERING

The ILP is therefore writing to these commissioners pointing out that: ‘Creating the safe and attractive environments requires considerable expertise in planning and installing lighting systems. The issue is not about “brighter is better”, but what is appropriate, pleasant, and makes people feel safer.’

The Institution is asking the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners what advice it is giving to its members in relation to this and offering to assist it with this task.

It will be interesting to gauge what sort of responses the ILP receives and, in turn, how this evidence can be fed back into the work MPs and Peers are doing in Parliament. Watch this space!

Chris Rennard has been a member of the House of Lords since 1999 and is a Liberal Democrat Peer

[1] ‘Ten Dark Sky policies for the government’, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dark Skies, December 2020, https://appgdarkskies.co.uk/ [2] ‘Urban Areas: Safety’, Question for Home Office, UIN 167171, tabled on 11 March 2021, UK Parliament, written questions, answers and statement, https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-03-11/167171

HERBIE BARNIEH

BEng IEng MILP PROJECT CENTRE

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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: TRAINING@NICKSMITHASSOCIATES.COM

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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