Streetlights to continue to be switched off earlier this winter in Brussels

Switching off streetlights half an hour before sunrise will be maintained as an energy-saving measure this winter in Brussels, reports RTBF and Belga.

The measure was agreed by the city’s 19 mayors and energy supplier Sibelga in September, and came into effect on 1 October. Scheduled to be maintained until 31 March, it was up for discussion again at a meeting this week between municipality leaders.

Mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) argued against the initiative. She said it posed a potential danger for drivers and cyclists. “We need to look at road safety, but also at other aspects. For example, we know that women feel unsafe in unlit areas.”

Carole Poncin, spokeswoman for Brussels mayor Philippe Close (PS), who was chairing the meeting, said, “public lighting stays the same for the moment”.

In the meantime, it was decided to look with Sibelga at all the data on the flow of people and vehicles. Further decisions on the energy-saving initiative could be taken at a later date.