After six months of experimentation, the experiment was deemed conclusive.
The city of Montpellier, which had decided to turn off the streetlights for part of the night (from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.), on five boulevards, has decided to extend this experience for an additional six months.
From this Monday, the lighting will now be completely off on these five boulevards.
“It's good for the planet and good for the wallet, explained at the beginning of November, to
20 Minutes
, the municipal councilor Bruno Paternot (EELV), delegate for the luminous aesthetics and sound atmosphere of the city.
When you turn off the main roads, people drive more slowly.
“An opinion that did not share at the time Pierre Chasseray, general delegate and spokesperson for the association 40 million motorists, who then denounced “an anti-car measure”.
Nearly 50,000 euros in savings
But, for the city of Montpellier, the feedback is conclusive: "Decrease in light pollution, preservation of biodiversity and human health, energy savings, reduction in speed observed, particularly on avenue Pablo Neruda, no change in accidentality, ”explains the municipality.
According to his calculations, the 396,000 kWh not used on these five axes for one year correspond to a saving of 47,500 euros per year.
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