MORE LIGHTING

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 257, 29 July 1942, Page 4

MORE LIGHTING

Relaxation In Inland Areas REGULATIONS COMING ' “A considerable relaxation in the lighting restrictions is to be permitted in all inland areas, and the strict enforcement of the regulations will in future apply principally to a coastal belt around the Dominion,” said the Minister of Civil Defence, Mr. Bodkin, in a statement last night. “The question of lighting restrictions has been under careful consideration of the War Cabinet and the Defence authorities together with the Dominion Lighting Controller, and while some relaxation is possible in areas .remote from the coast as a continuing condition, it will be even more necessary in future for all areas to be prepared to blackout at a moment’s notice.

“Regulations to give effect to these new proposals will be gazetted as soon as possible,” said Mr. Bodkin, “and while the standard of lighting applying iu pre-war days cannot be reverted to in any part of the Dominion, the partial relaxations possible in the inland areas will be a relief from the irksome loss of amenities which have so far been applied.” Mr. Bodkin explained that the future proposals will mean that within the coastal belt, which will vary in 'depth from some three miles up to 12 miles, according to the topography of the country, the lighting restrictions will continue in force, but that the standard for skyglow, which has been raised, will 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 blin'ds to the extent which has 'been practised up to the present. “Outside the coastal belt street lighting will revert as far as possible to the pre-war standard, provided skyglow produced by the lighting system is not visible at any point 10 miles or more off-shore,” he said. “In many localities, 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 prewar 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. “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 training 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 areas 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 blackout trials must be held till.‘both the public and the E.P.S. are perfect in providing the total blackout which is most necessary if an attack is made ou the Dominion during the hours of darkness.”