Let there be light - but not too much!

Up to 20% of outdoor electric lighting is wasted. Across the country that uses up two-thirds of the output of a conventional power station. There are many people and sometimes whole communities whose lives are made a misery by light pollution. That includes amateur astronomers, who have been giving evidence to the Commons Select Committee on Science and technology.

Our professional astronomers do much of their optical work overseas and their radio telescopes are unaffected. Now Britain's dark skies have all but disappeared. This matters because a high proportion of new discoveries of objects in space is done by amateurs.

It also matters because young people are attracted to science, above all else, by dinosaurs and space! Nowadays, for a few hundred pounds one can buy a 4-inch telescope that will achieve as much as an old 28- inch one. But light pollution cancels out much of the benefit.

So, who are the culprits? Roads? When I was Roads Minister, I approved a new design of 'full cut-off' reflectors that ensures that the road is lit, while glare and light trespass are minimised. The Highways Agency uses these lights on all motorways and trunk roads. Just look at the difference between the lights on the A36 Churchill Way and the dreadful old orange sodium jobs that spoil most of Salisbury.

Over-lit rural roundabouts are a curse to country-dwellers. But the biggest wasters and spoilers are sports venues, shopping centres, security lights, church floodlights (if left on too long - the Cathedral switches them off at 2230) and anyone using globe lights that disperse light all around.

None of our witnesses - including the Astronomer Royal - wants to switch off a single necessary light. They all want them to point in the right direction, usually downwards, and to be on only when strictly necessary.

It is true that lighting gives a sense of security - but it may not cut crime. Sometimes it just gives criminals easier working conditions!

The most compelling reason I've heard for urgent action to cut light pollution is that generations of young people have never experienced a dark night sky, have never really seen the stars (maybe some planets if they're lucky). They have not looked up at the immensity of our universe nor witnessed the twinkling of matter into infinity.

The British Astronomical Association is stepping up its campaign for darker skies. Now they have been joined by the CPRE. Please visit their websites at www.dark-skies.org and www.cpre.org.uk .

Maybe, we were told, the night sky should be declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or perhaps an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Can your Council order light polluters to mend their ways? Not directly nor simply. How about a new power for local democracy? I'm on the case. And please make sure your security lights are doing their job, not causing your neighbours misery!

Robert Key MP
15 June 2003