Communities in Oxfordshire will now have the option to request part-night streetlighting in their areas, following the approval of an updated Oxfordshire County Council policy designed to balance safety, sustainability, and community choice.
The decision means streetlights can only be switched off between 11.30pm and 5.30am in rural areas, and between midnight and 5.30am in urban areas, if the request comes jointly from the parish or town council and the ward county councillor – similar to the council’s 20mph speed limit programme.
The framework also outlines strict exemptions to ensure lighting remains in place where it is needed for public safety, including at major junctions, rail crossings, high-crime areas, waterside paths, and places supporting the night-time economy. Each proposal will undergo review by Thames Valley Police using data on crime, fear of crime, and road safety before approval.
As a result, larger urban areas such as Oxford are unlikely to see changes, since lighting in these zones supports key safety and economic activity after dark.
Read more: County council has launched a consultation on new part-night street lighting proposals
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said:
“We have confidence that the updated policy and the way it would be implemented would not reduce public safety. Part-night lighting will only be implemented on a case-by-case basis and there will not be a one-size-fits-all approach.
“While there are many places where implementation would not be suitable for safety reasons, it’s also important to recognise that for some of our communities there would be positive benefits — such as reducing light pollution and supporting biodiversity.”
The council manages around 60,000 streetlights across the county. Reducing lighting hours, where safe and supported, is expected to lower carbon emissions, reduce energy costs, and enhance biodiversity.
This measure complements existing sustainability initiatives already in place, including converting to LED lanterns, dimming lights, and de-illuminating traffic bollards.
Part-night lighting schemes will only move forward following local consultation and community agreement.
