I am an amateur astronomer with my own observatory. Unfortunately, just south of my house lies a power station, which at night is ablaze with unshielded lights. Added to this, the house between my house and the power station is lit by upwardly directed floodlights. I need hardly tell you that this has a very bad effect on my hobby. I realise that I am not alone in suffering from this kind of light pollution, and I would just grin and bear if it served some helpful purpose. But light uselessly directed into the sky serves no useful purpose, causes light pollution and wastes our reserves of energy.There will be no significant improvement in this matter in the UK without Government legislation, and I hope that you will recommend the introduction of appropriate laws.

April 2003