M.O.T. Now Controls Street Lighting T HE central authority responsible for
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street lighting is now the Ministry of Transport, which has taken over from the Home Secretary the allocation of iron, steel and timber needed for such equipment. On August 23, the Ministry sent a circular to all lighting authorities, in which the Minister indicated future procedure.
He asked that particular consideration should be given to securing reasonable uniformity in lighting standards, and drew attention to the fact that the diversity adopted on adjoining lengths of road has, in the past, been a source of danger and inconvenience to road users. It is hoped that the authorities will do their best to adopt the appropriate recommendations of the 1937 Report of the Departmental Committee on Street Lighting. The Minister will in future issue any necessary authorization under Defence Regulation 56A for street-lighting schemes, except in connection with streets on new housing sites or where other than public highways are concerned. These come within the province of the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Attention is also drawn to the fact that there is still need for the utmost economy in fuel consumption. A restriction to halve the pre-war consumption of fuel must continue during the coming winter. It is preferable tbat fuel should be saved by turning out the lights at midnight where practicable, rather than by reducing reasonable standards or turning out alternate lights. There is still a considerable shortage of gas mantles.