Basildon Council to Restore Night-Time Street Lighting in £480,000 Safety Drive

Basildon Council is preparing to reinstate overnight street lighting across the borough, with councillors set to approve a £480,000 funding plan at a cabinet meeting on June 12.

The proposal outlines a return to all-night lighting for the next four years, costing up to £120,000 per year.

Street lighting was originally switched off across Essex in 2014 by Essex County Council, between midnight and 5am—a schedule later adjusted to 1am to 5am. While areas like Pitsea were exempt and retained lighting, the move drew widespread criticism from residents elsewhere.

Cabinet documents reveal that public sentiment has remained firmly in favour of full-night lighting, citing a strong link between lighting levels and perceived safety. “Resident feedback has consistently shown the lack of lighting affects people’s perception of safety and how confident they feel in moving through the borough during those times,” the papers state.

Basildon Council had previously restored overnight lighting in 2019, but that four-year provision ended in 2023. Now, with LED upgrades completed across the borough in 2020–21, energy-efficient lighting makes the return of night-time illumination more financially sustainable.

While the latest projected annual cost sits at £100,000, the council has factored in a 20% contingency due to unpredictable energy market fluctuations, bringing the estimated annual allocation to £120,000.

The reinstatement aligns with the council’s upcoming 2025–29 corporate plan, which prioritises safer, healthier, and more connected communities. A key aim is for residents to feel “safe and secure in their homes, towns and open spaces,” with night-time lighting cited as a significant contributor to this goal.