Countryside campaigners and astronomers are together asking people to tell us how their lives have been affected by poorly directed or excessive lighting.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England CPRE [1] and the British Astronomical Association’s Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS) [2] today (Friday) launched an online survey at www.cpre.org.uk [3] so that the public can help gather evidence of the sources and impacts of light pollution [4].

Emma Marrington, CPRE’s Rural Policy Campaigner said:

‘Many lives are affected by light pollution.  It can disturb sleep, disfigure the countryside and make the stars at night invisible to huge numbers of people.  Our survey is the perfect opportunity for people to tell us about their problem so that we can identify the main causes and take action to address them.  The evidence gathered in the survey will strengthen our campaign for the Government to take light pollution seriously and improve controls over lighting.’

Almost seven years ago the Government said it would produce guidance for local council planners on how they could help tackle light pollution through local planning policies and decisions. It has still not published a draft for consultation. [5]

Bob Mizon, Coordinator of the Campaign for Dark Skies said:

‘This survey will help us put pressure on the Government to fulfil its promises to control stray light.  The issue could so easily be addressed by ensuring that light pollution is considered at the planning stage, before it becomes a problem.

‘The only part of our environment with no protection in law is the night sky, unofficially but indisputably an area of outstanding natural beauty and a site of special scientific interest. The glorious sight of a dark starry sky has been lost to most Britons.  The Government need to act now to help the nation claim back our dark skies.’

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

2. The British Astronomical Association is Britain’s largest astronomical organisation, with thousands of members nation-wide. Its Campaign for Dark Skies was founded in 1989, and aims to ensure quality lighting in the UK: a well-lit environment below, and a view of the starry sky above, are not incompatible.  www.dark-skies.org.uk

3. The Lighting Nuisance Survey 2009 can be accessed via www.cpre.org.uk.  The survey will close on Friday 29 January 2010.

4. Light pollution is sometimes described as sky glow – a brightening of the night sky caused by artificial light being scattered by small particles in the air such as water droplets and dust. Light pollution also includes light intruding into our homes, such as a bright street light outside a bedroom window. The major sources of artificial light include street lighting, security lamps, advertising and display lighting, floodlights for sporting events and building illumination. Poorly fitted lights allow light to shine upwards, which causes sky glow. Some artificial light is also reflected upwards from roads, pavements and buildings.

5. In December, 2003 the Government said it would produce guidance on light pollution and planning in its response to a report on light pollution by the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology published earlier that year.  Full report: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmsctech/127/127.pdf  A report published by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in December 2009 also recommended in section 6.7 ‘that there should be explicit consideration of light in planning policy.’  Full report: http://www.rcep.org.uk/reports/sr-2009-light/documents/RCEP_artificiallight.pdf

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Emma Marrington (CPRE Rural Policy Campaigner)
0207 981 2840 (direct)
07906 092 911 (mobile)

Bob Mizon (Campaign for Dark Skies)   
01202 887 084 (direct)

Claire Norman (CPRE Press Officer)  
020 7981 2880 (press office)
07739 332 796 (out of hours)