Public lighting within the County is provided and managed in accordance with defined functional responsibilities and recognised European standards, with the objective of ensuring that public areas are safe, accessible and appropriately lit.

Public areas that fall within the Roads and Public Lighting function—including roads, footpaths and Villages and District Enhancement Schemes — are designed and maintained in compliance with EN 13201, the relevant European Standard for public lighting. Lighting levels are assessed based on pedestrian and vehicular usage, with due regard to public safety, passive surveillance, energy efficiency and ecological considerations.

Lighting within parks and open spaces does not automatically fall within the Roads and Public Lighting remit and is instead the responsibility of the Public Realm function. Where lighting is proposed on footpaths or routes within parks, the decision to install lighting rests with Public Realm, taking account of factors such as safety, usage patterns, biodiversity and environmental impact. Where lighting is installed, it is maintained by the Roads and Public Lighting contractor and the same EN 13201 standards apply.

Through this structured and standards-based approach, the Council ensures that public areas are appropriately lit in the interest of public safety and wellbeing, while balancing environmental and sustainability objectives.