Appendix 3: Peacehaven and Telscombe Scheme
File ref: Issue No: Version 5
Date of Issue: 12 November 2012 Review date: October 2013
1. Introduction
1.1 The approach taken to assessing equality impacts is designed to dovetail with the way in which the street lighting programme is being progressed. The overarching programme was agreed by the Lead Member for Economy, Transport and Environment in February 2012 but the specific details of implementation will be decided as the programme is rolled out on an area by area basis alongside local consultation.
1.2 To assess the impacts on equality, we took the following approach:
i) A full Equality Impact Assessment was produced in May 2011 (updated May 2012) to assess the impacts across the whole of East Sussex to inform the decision about the overarching programme.
ii) We review the East Sussex Equality Impact Assessment every time a scheme is rolled out into a new area, to take into account the local implementation plan and the findings of local consultation. We will consider whether the findings conflict with the conclusions of the Equality Impact Assessment covering East Sussex and if they do, identify local actions to mitigate the issue.
2. Area Profile
2.1 Summary of local demographics1:
The area has a slightly older age profile than East Sussex with a higher proportion of people aged over 75 and 85; and slightly fewer (0-14 year old) children.
A greater percentage of households in Peacehaven (38.0%) have someone with a limiting long term illness than East Sussex (34.0%) as a whole, whereas the percentage in Telscombe is almost average for the county (34.7%).
Peacehaven has a slightly lower proportion of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) residents (4.9%) than Telscombe (5.4%) which matches the East Sussex average (5.4%).
The ratio of males to females in the area is slightly higher than the average in East Sussex, (48.4% male compared with a 47.9% average) despite the older demographic. This likely reflects the age profile of East Sussex, as females on average have a longer life expectancy.
1 Sources: Mid-year Estimate 2011 and Census 2001 Equality Impact Assessment
Peacehaven has a similar proportion of Buddhists, Hindu, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs and other non-Christian religions (1.9%) compared to East Sussex (1.8%), whilst Telscombe has slightly more at 2.1%. However, it should be noted that actual numbers are relatively small.
Peacehaven and Telscombe are predominantly cliff-top coastal towns with a round 22,000 residents in total. The area has fairly good bus links to Newhaven and Brighton, although the area suffers from some congestion on the coastal road and has no train station.
No data is available on sexual orientation while characteristics such as marital status, pregnancy, maternity, literacy/numeracy, carers and part time workings are not relevant to this assessment.
2.2 Night time crime rates for the 12 month period August 2011 to July 2012 for wards affected by the proposed changes are shown below2. All areas show a low level of crimes committed at night. We spoke to Sussex Police who share our view that the area generally has a low crime rate.
Crimes per Night time crimes % of crimes Ward 1,000 per 1,000 committed at night residents residents Peacehaven 33 8 23.3% - Peacehaven East 24 6 26.2% - Peacehaven North 26 8 31.3% - Peacehaven West 50 8 16.8% East Saltdean & Telscombe 22 7 30.1% East Sussex 48 11 23.7% Night time refers to crimes that are likely to have been committed between 1200 and 0600.
3. Scheme Outline
3.1 The proposed changes (prior to consultation) are available online and will be updated if changes are made following the consultation. These can be found at:
http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/consultation/2012/streetlighting/coastaltowns.htm
4. Consultation Findings
4.1 A consultation event took place on Saturday 23 June at Community House in the Meridian Centre, Peacehaven, between 9am and 12pm. Local residents could see the proposals and talk to Council Officers about the impacts.
4.2 The event was advertised via press releases (Argus 31 May, Sussex Express 8 June), social media, posters around Peacehaven and Telscombe (23 locations) and 500 flyers at the request of Peacehaven and Telscombe Town Councils. Information and comment forms were also available at Peacehaven Library; the Peacehaven town council offices at Community House at the Meridian Centre; and the Telscombe town council offices at Telscombe Civic Centre. East Sussex County Council posted all the information and allowed residents to leave comments online between 23 June and 9 July.
4.3 Information and a link to the ESCC website page for Telscombe/Peacehaven were sent to Telscombe and Peacehaven Town Councils, and were displayed on their websites, with
2 The information within this table has been taken from the local Sussex Police data. This data has not been verified or audited by statisticians at Police HQ, therefore it represents a reflection of crime rather than the authorised and fully verified 'Performance Data’.
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information about the public event. The Town Councils were given 300 leaflets each for distribution.
4.4 We also discussed the proposals with the local policing and the District Commander who attended the event. They commented on the proposals and suggested a number of changes to the street plans which have incorporated into the final plan (see section 5).
4.5 68 people left comments at the event or at other venues, and 36 responded online. The breakdown for the 105 respondents was:
In favour 21 (20%) Broadly in favour but with concerns about a specific area 8 (8%) Against 12 (11%) No opinion, with comments about a specific area 6 (6%) Comment on Street Lighting in general 58 (56%)
4.5 A selection of comments pertinent to issues raised in the original Equality Impact Assessment (e.g. community safety, accessibility, road safety etc) are shown in the text boxes below. While some comments were negative, we did receive some support for the proposals:
Comments in favour of less lighting It is madness to leave all street lights on burning energy as they currently are. In the majority of cases if you are out after midnight the streets are empty and the lights not needed. Turning unnecessary street lighting off at night is a wonderful idea. Peacehaven has a low level of crime which I don't believe would be affected by turning lights off. I am all in favour of these proposals - there is far too much wasted energy especially after midnight. Also it spoils the night sky for amateur astronomers.
4.6 A number of respondents felt that community safety might be adversely impacted by the proposals:
Comments concerned about community safety In residential areas the street lights could be dimmed but not turned off. Turning them off would invite property crime (theft, vandalism etc) and be deferential to the security and peace of mind of the elderly, particularly those living alone. Too dangerous there is enough crime in the area. I know a few people who live here in Peacehaven that work various night shifts and come home all different hours. I feel it would be unsafe for them to come home in complete darkness. I can't believe you are thinking of turning off the street lights after midnight. Both my daughter and my son use the night bus for transportation after a night out. I would be deeply concerned for their safety and whereabouts if they were to walk home in the pitch black. I live across the road from the school, which my child also attends which I also believe has had suffered with vandalism, so with no lighting at all it will be more of a target.
4.7 We also received a complaint letter in which it was argued that insufficient emphasis in the county-wide Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) had been given to the community safety impacts on young adults (as well as other people) returning late at night. We consider these impacts to be important and decided to amend the wording in the EqIA to make this clearer.
4.8 A small number of respondents felt that road / pedestrian safety could be affected:
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Comments concerned about pedestrian safety This will not work it is too dangerous!!! If you have to walk on the pavement in the dark you will fall over. This is not safe enough. Lights off after 12.30 could be dangerous for car accident.
4.9 The issue of avoiding trip hazards was also raised with regards to people with visual disabilities being at particular risk.
Comment concerned about trip hazards I am disabled and have partial sight difficulties so the darker patches of the street are something of an obstacle course at night (especially if wet) . What don't want to do is make sure I am always home by midnight merely so the Council can save a small sum.
5. Conclusions
5.1 Following the local consultation we decided to make a number of changes to the proposal, mainly to increase lighting in areas from the part night lighting originally proposed for some areas. This is to ensure main walking routes are reasonably lit late at night (for community safety and ease of access reasons) and to calm the traffic in locations where road safety could potentially be an issue. We will continue to work with the Police and community safety partners to closely monitor the impact of the changes and reassure residents.
5.2 Changes to the scheme are shown overleaf.
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Street Initial Proposal Final Outcome Reason for Change Lincoln Ave to Arundel Rd Part Night Lighting (all Existing street lightings To allow more lit links Malines Ave to Arundel Rd lights off between 0030hrs units operating through the towns. and 0530hrs) between 0030hrs and Dorothy Ave to Arundel Rd 0530hrs will be Steyning Ave to Arundel Rd reduced by Keymer Ave to Arundel Rd approximately 50%. Piddinghoe Ave to Arundel Rd Seaview Ave to Arundel Rd
Downs Walk Part Night Lighting (all Existing street lightings To light main access Coney Furlong lights off between 0030hrs units operating route and 0530hrs) between 0030hrs and 0530hrs will be reduced by approximately 50%. Telscombe Rd Existing street lightings Additional lanterns left Traffic calming units operating between lit Telscombe Cliffs Way 0030hrs and 0530hrs will be reduced by approximately 50%.
Central Ave Part Night Lighting (all Section left lit Traffic calming lights off between 0030hrs and 0530hrs)
Barcombe Ave Part Night Lighting (all Lit all night Traffic calming lights off between 0030hrs Arundel Road East and 0530hrs) Seaview central section Keymer Ave St Peters Ave Arundel Road West Hoddern Ave (between Balcombe Rd & Arundel West) Springfield Ave Southview Rd inc Horsham Ave
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