Lighting the way

The Light Pollution Awareness Group, Friends of the Earth (Malta) and Nature Trust (Malta) have praised the Ministry for Urban Development and Roads and the Malta Transport Authority for installing full cut-off road lighting in the road between Zebbug and Saqqajja roundabout.

This is the first time such lighting has been used in Malta, they said. It ensures that all light is thrown down onto the ground and none into the sky, as happens with all other types of street lighting used locally, which only means a waste of energy and an increase in light pollution.

Full cut-off road lighting is nowadays being preferred in all EU countries and around the world, not only because of the problem of light pollution but also because it greatly reduces glare on the road, to the benefit of drivers and pedestrians.

The three groups expressed the hope that this road will pave the way for such lighting to be used in all new installations.

lpag@maltastro.org.