INLAND AREAS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1942, Page 4

INLAND AREAS

MORE LIGHTING

NEW REGULATIONS

The question of lighting restrictions has been under review by Jie War Cabinet, defence authorities, and the Dominion Lighting Controller, and as a result regulations are to be issued giving effect to new proposals. The Minister of Civil Defence (Mr. Bodkin) said last night that a considerable relaxation in the lighting restrictions would be permitted in all inland areas, and that in future the strict enforcement of the regulations would apply principally to a coastal belt around the Dominion. It would be even more necessary in future, however, for all areas to be' prepared to black-out at a moment's notice. ;

The partial relaxations" possible in the inland areas would be a relief from the irksome loss of amenities which so far had been applied, said Mr. Bodkin. The future proposals would mean that within the coastal belt, which would vary in depth from some three miles yp to 12 miles, according to the topography, of the country, the lighting restrictions . would continue in force, but that the standard for skyglow, which had been raised, would permit in many instances a somewhat higher level of street lighting and exterior lighting to.premises. * All lights visible' from the open ■ sea, and in areas visible from the open sea, must continue to be blacked-out, however, and the occupiers of premises in areas not visible from the open sea must continue to shield lights and draw, blinds to the extent which had been practised up to the present. .« ■.

PRE-WAR STANDARD

"Outside the coastal belt street lighting will revert as far as possible to the pre-war standard, provided sky glow produced by the lighting system is-not visible at any point'ten miles or more offshore," he said. "In, many localii ties, therefore, this will mean that on account of the distance of the area from the coastline, the street lighting will. in all probability revert to the pre-war standard. The only qualification is that filament lamps must be used, and gaseous discharge lamps will continue to be prohibited. In all inland areas external lights for the lighting of open spaces, recreation grounds, and the approaches to premises,, will not be restricted in future, except that when in use the lights must remain attended at all times, so that if a period of emergency is set up the lights can be disconnected immediately. 1 "These three classes: of lighting have been largely reinstated," said Mr. Bodkin, "for the reason that the lighting provided by them serves a useful community ' service. Most recreation grounds are used these days for the framing of E.P.S. and': Home Defence and Army personnel, and a higher standard of lighting in streets and private ways, and the approaches to premises, is desirable for the safety of the community in general. "Classes'of lights, such as illuminated signs, decorative lighting on business premises, floodlighting, and so on, may in future be used in inland areasJ during the daytime, but must be disconnected' during hours." of darkness., : "The partial relaxation of lighting restrictions in inland areas must not be interpreted that the war situation has eased to the extent that the necessity for the restrictions does not continue to be most real.

"Strict compliance with the regulations is most necessary in the coastal belt, and both in the belt and in areas outside it frequent black-out trials must be held till both-the public and the E.RS. are perfect .in providing the total black-out which is most necessary if an attack is made on the Dominion during the hours of darkness."'