I am an amateur astronomer who is troubled by light pollution and I have some comments for your committee.

1.  THE PRESENT STATE OF AFFAIRS

  In spite of previous attempts to limit the damage caused by light pollution to the visibility of the stars and planets in the night sky, the situation continues to deteriorate. Whereas around 55 years ago when I was a child, the Milky Way was visible at night, even in a suburb of Bristol (three miles from the centre), I am now completely unable to see it from my back garden even with binoculars. Other faint stars are also now invisible. Clearly, the previous attempts to halt the deterioration have failed.

2.  LIGHT POLLUTION AND THE LAW

  By far the most important change needed is to make intrusive light a nuisance in law in the same way that smoke, fumes, smell and noise are at present. If offenders know that it will be very difficult for objectors to obtain satisfaction in the courts, their behaviour is likely to become increasingly extreme as technology makes abuse easy and inexpensive and as commercial motives push towards inappropriate use of lighting.

  All other issues such as local planning issues are crippled by the lack of a route through the courts as an ultimate resource.

3.  ILE GUIDANCE NOTES

  The Guidance Notes for the reduction of Light Pollution (2000) produced by the Institution of Lighting Engineers is an important step towards limiting light pollution. However, the upwards Sky Glow is framed in terms of a maximum percentage instead of an absolute limit in Lux. Although this imposes a stronger limit than previously, there is no limit imposed on the total light emission upwards, and so even if these guidance notes are conformed with, as every new installation is created (Floodlit sports grounds seem to be in constant demand) the amount of Sky Glow will increase without limit until the stars are all invisible.

  The only way to avoid this is to decide what is the maximum sky glow which can be tolerated, and then cap the upwards light emission in each area appropriately. Also, owners of older installations which do not limit their Sky Glow suitably, should be forced to replace the older lights with modern lights which are properly designed for full vertical cut-off.

4 April 2003