Parish and town councils are under increasing pressure when it comes to street lighting. Rising energy costs, ageing infrastructure, concerns about safety, and growing awareness of light pollution all converge around one highly visible asset that residents care deeply about.
Unlike county councils, parishes often manage smaller lighting stocks with limited technical support, tight budgets and volunteer decision-makers. Yet expectations remain high. Residents want streets that feel safe. Environmental groups want darker skies. Councillors want value for money. Clerks want solutions that are compliant, defensible and straightforward to manage.
Getting street lighting right has never been more important or more complex.
UNDERSTANDING THE REAL CHALLENGES PARISH COUNCILS FACE
Before looking at solutions, it’s worth acknowledging the realities many Clerks deal with daily:
- Limited budgets competing with multiple community priorities
- Rising energy and maintenance costs
- Ageing lanterns and columns that are increasingly unreliable
- Public concern about crime and road safety, particularly in darker months
- Equally strong concerns about light pollution, glare and wildlife impact
- Risk and liability, where poor lighting can contribute to accidents or claims
- A lack of specialist lighting expertise when responsibilities sit locally
Street lighting decisions are rarely straightforward, and “doing nothing” is rarely an option.
WHAT PARISH COUNCILS NEED FROM MODERN STREET LIGHTING
For parish councils, good lighting isn’t about installing the brightest lantern available. It’s about balance.
Well-considered lighting should:
- Provide clear, comfortable visibility where people walk and drive
- Avoid unnecessary spill into homes, gardens and the wider night sky
- Deliver predictable energy costs
- Minimise ongoing maintenance and disruption
- Stand up to scrutiny from residents, auditors and insurers
In short, parish lighting needs to work quietly, reliably and responsibly.
WHY THE E95 RANGE WORKS WELL FOR PARISH ENVIRONMENTS
The E95 range has been developed with these pressures firmly in mind.
Rather than over-lighting streets, it uses precision optics to direct light only where it is needed. This allows parish councils to address safety concerns while reducing glare, light trespass and upward spill.
For parishes, this means:
- Meaningful reductions in energy consumption compared to legacy sodium lighting
- Improved visual clarity and facial recognition without harsh brightness
- Reduced impact on wildlife and the night sky
- Robust construction designed for long service life
- Straightforward point-for-point replacement in many locations
It offers a practical route to modernisation without changing the character of village streets.
Learn more about the E950 range here
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WILL NEW LED LIGHTING MAKE OUR VILLAGE DARKER?
Not when designed correctly. Modern LED lighting focuses on light quality rather than sheer brightness. Precision optics ensure light is directed onto the road and footway, improving visibility while reducing wasted light.
CAN WE REALLY SAVE MONEY WITHOUT COMPROMISING SAFETY?
Yes. Many parish councils achieve significant energy savings by replacing older lanterns with efficient LEDs while maintaining or improving visual clarity. Reduced maintenance also contributes to long-term savings.
WHAT ABOUT COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS?
Concerns usually fall into two categories: fear of darkness and concerns about glare or light spill. Well-designed luminaires help address both. Clear communication with residents about why changes are being made is equally important.
DO WE NEED SPECIALIST LIGHTING KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE?
No. But independent advice is valuable. Parish councils don’t need to become lighting experts, but they do need solutions that are compliant, proven and easy to justify.
ARE WE EXPOSED TO LIABILITY IF LIGHTING IS REDUCED OR CHANGED?
Lighting decisions should always be risk-led, not brightness-led. Using compliant equipment and following recognised guidance helps councils demonstrate a responsible approach to safety.
WHAT HAPPENS IF LIGHTING RESPONSIBILITY CHANGES IN THE FUTURE?
Investing in efficient, modern lanterns puts parishes in a stronger position, whether responsibility remains local or is transferred back to a wider authority.
PREPARING FOR CHANGING RESPONSIBILITIES
Across the UK, more parish councils are being asked whether they wish to retain control of street lighting or hand it back to unitary or county authorities.
In either case, lighting assets that are efficient, compliant and easy to manage reduce future risk. Investing in modern luminaires now helps future-proof parish lighting stock and demonstrates responsible stewardship of public funds.
A PRACTICAL STEP FORWARD FOR PARISH COUNCILS
Street lighting will always attract strong opinions. But with the right approach, it doesn’t need to become a constant source of cost, complaint or concern.
Choosing luminaires designed for real-world parish environments rather than over-specifying urban solutions allows councils to improve lighting quality while keeping long-term costs and impacts under control.
A good example is our work with Mildenhall Town Council in Suffolk, where the E95 range was used to replace older sodium lighting as part of a parish-led upgrade. The project focused on reducing energy consumption, cutting maintenance requirements and limiting light spill, while still improving visibility for residents.
By using precision optics and DarkSky-approved design, the council achieved significant energy savings and better night-time comfort without changing the character of the area or introducing excessive brightness.
Read the full Mildenhall Town Council case study here
Projects like this demonstrate how parish councils can take a measured, evidence-based approach to street lighting, improving performance and sustainability without overcomplicating the asset or the decision-making process.
LOOKING AHEAD
If your parish is reviewing its lighting, facing rising costs, or responding to resident concerns, practical advice can make all the difference.
Our team works closely with parish and town councils to help them make informed, proportionate lighting decisions that balance safety, sustainability and value for money.
If you’d like support reviewing your parish lighting stock, or help explaining lighting changes to residents, we’re happy to help.