In praise of energy pilot

I APPLAUD the initiative announced by Cllr Rodney Bass, of Essex County Council (ECC) to save energy and diminish light pollution by switching off the majority of street lights from midnight to 5am. Uttlesford are to pilot this with the Maldon district an

I APPLAUD the initiative announced by Cllr Rodney Bass, of Essex County Council (ECC) to save energy and diminish light pollution by switching off the majority of street lights from midnight to 5am.

Uttlesford are to pilot this with the Maldon district and the police are being consulted about more vulnerable areas.

Hurrah for common sense. I was astounded to hear fellow councillors, and the leader of Uttlesford District Council, Cllr Mark Gayler, peevish and less than enthusiastic as they considered UDC had not been consulted properly, and because the ECC announcement was almost immediately to be followed by the action.

How thoughtless! Come on Mark, you signed the Nottingham declaration on our behalf, and we have pledged to protect the environment as best we can. The people I am elected to represent wish me to do just that.

At last we have positive action instead of endless discussions and heart searching for ways to tackle the harm we are all doing to our beleaguered planet, me included. I will delight in more such initiatives from whatever source. So why the lukewarm reaction?

Surely we all need to rise above political kudos if we are to find ways and means to initiate sensible policies and make any significant difference to the impact of climate change?

Swallow your pride and let's all admit that this is a very, very good idea. 'Switch it off' is no bad catchphrase for us all to adopt.

Behold the night sky!

Cllr Jan Menell

Littlebury Ward