Cumbria has some of the darkest skies in the UK making it one of the few places in the country where the Milky Way is still visible.
Cumbria and the Lake District is the 5th darkest area in the country, after Northumberland, Exmoor, Norfolk and Herefordshire.
However, light pollution which includes sky glow, glare and light intrusion, is increasing and the skies above Cumbria are becoming less dark. This has the following detrimental effects:
The wellbeing of wildlife and ecosystem biodiversity is adversely affected. Nocturnal species are blinded and confused, making it difficult for them to find food and mates and their migration patterns are disturbed. 60% of insects are nocturnal and globally, one third are threatened by light pollution
Unnecessary lighting wastes energy and produce avoidable greenhouse gas emissions
astronomers’ and photographers’ ability to see the stars is reduced
Cumbria’s tourism industry is adversely affected as more visitors seek dark sky experiences
the health and well-being of the population (through disturbance to sleep patterns and increases in bright light sensitivity) suffers
the overall quality and tranquillity of the landscape diminishes
Dark Sky campaigners throughout the country are pressing for urgent action to reduce and prevent light pollution and protect dark skies. The Dark Skies Cumbria Project aims to achieve “Dark Sky Reserve Status” by
Celebrating and raising awareness of the importance of Dark Skies and inspire individuals, communities, businesses and organisations to reduce their own lighting footprint;
Preventing more light pollution from insensitive new development and infrastructure;
Reducing existing light pollution levels in target locations and pilot communities;
Supporting and promoting Dark Sky Reserves across Cumbria; and
Working with other Dark Sky Parks, Reserves and other dark sky places across the country to secure effective legislation and guidance to reduce/prevent light pollution
They recognise that artificial lighting does make a positive contribution where it enables people to move around and use the outdoors during the hours of darkness; consequently, their approach is not to disallow lighting but through manageable and practical measures, prevent and minimise light pollution. These measures include
choosing the correct colour and power lights
including dimmers, sensors and timers
installing lights which avoid and/or shield against upward glare
(to be approved February 2021) Sedgwick Parish Council are not directly responsible for lighting in the Parish but support the Darker Skies Cumbria initiative and will undertake to
promote the Darker Skies Cumbria Project in the community
share information with and encourage residents and others with responsibility for lighting in the area, to make well informed decisions about their lighting
make well informed decisions about lighting in the future
