There are three options for managing public lighting in Walloon municipalities. The first is to extend the extinction of streetlights seven days a week from midnight, as has been done in Ciney, Namur and many municipalities in Walloon Brabant, such as Beauvechain. The mayor of Beauvechain notes that since they turned off the streetlights at night, there haven’t been more accidents or thefts and therefore no reason to go back. The second option is to turn off the streetlights on weekdays only, as chosen in Ittre or Tubize in Walloon Brabant, in Arlon and Vielsalm in Luxembourg, or in the province of Namur by the mayor of Hamois Valérie Warzée. Warzée explains that their commune is very dynamic in terms of village festivities and it’s important for people to be able to go out safely on foot or by bike during weekend evenings. The third and final option is to keep the lighting on all night, as done in the small village of Houyet or Bertrix in Luxembourg. A hundred out of 197 Walloon municipalities whose public lighting is managed by ORES have taken an official position, with ten opting for a return to normal, fifty for extinction seven days a week, and forty for night lighting only on weekends.
The first is to simply extending the extinction of streetlights 7 days a week from midnight, this is what Ciney, Namur or many municipalities in Walloon Brabant such as Beauvechain will do for example. “Since we turn off the streetlights at night, we haven’t had more accidents or thefts”notes the mayor Carole Ghiot. “So there is no reason to go back! “
The second option is to turn off on weekdays only. This is the choice made in Walloon Brabant by Ittre or Tubize, in Luxembourg in Arlon and Vielsalm or in the province of Namur by the mayor of Hamois Valérie Warzée: “Our commune is very dynamic in terms of village festivities. Winter is behind us, so on weekends people will tend to go out more in the evening on foot or by bike. It’s important that they can do this safely and be seen on our roads! “
Finally, ORES’ latest proposal is to keep the lighting on all night. This is what the small village of Houyet, for example, or Bertrix in Luxembourg have chosen from the start.
The 197 Walloon municipalities whose public lighting is managed by ORES have not yet communicated their choice. A hundred have at this stage taken an official position: ten opt for a return to normal, fifty for extinction seven days a week and finally forty for night lighting only on weekends.
In conclusion, the decision to turn off streetlights at night is a complex one that requires careful consideration of various factors. The experiences of different municipalities in Wallonia show that there are several options available, ranging from extending the extinction of streetlights all week long to keeping them on all night. Ultimately, the right choice will depend on the specific needs and circumstances of each community. However, one thing is clear: the decision to turn off streetlights has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions while also promoting road safety and reducing light pollution. It is up to each municipality to weigh the pros and cons and make the choice that is best for their citizens, their budget, and the environment.
