Manningtree campaigners claim car park lights brighter than whole town

The Dedham Vale Society is calling on Tendring Council to take ‘enforcement’ action to tackle the issue

Charles Clover, chairman of the society, said: “Our resident astronomer, Mike Barrett, measured the light emitted by the development of  Manningtree station and found that it emits three times more light pollution than the town itself and can be seen miles away.

“The glow, we believe, affects the view of the Milky Way from the eastern part of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), from Flatford, Brantham, East Bergholt, Lawford and parts of Dedham. 

"We will be taking more readings when the skies are properly dark in October but we think the increase in lighting since 2019 has been massive, as well as unnecessary, and threatens the dark sky status we are seeking for the whole national landscape.”

Example - A night time shot of the lights (Image: Mike Barrett)

He added: “Mike believes that taking out three quarters of the forest of lighting would still leave enough and he says the bike shed, which sprays light out in every direction, needs a total redesign lighting-wise.

"It could be motion sensitive as people don't use it most of the time. 

“This lighting story is just part of our long-running campaign to get the development improved, including the awful rusty steel 'Berlin Wall'."

Greater Anglia has been asked for remediation proposals but has not yet come up with anything, as far as we are aware, so we believe Tendring will now have to take enforcement action.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman from Tendring Council said the case was a complex one and therefore would take longer to resolve.

He added: “Our legal position on this matter and the range of next steps available to the site owners is clear.

“Enforcement is a process, not any one specific action and we continue to discuss the options with the owners to enable a final decision on next reasonable steps to take place.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further while this process is ongoing.

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “The lighting in the car park at Manningtree railway station is fully compliant, installed to railway standards and has Secure Station Accreditation.

“It is fitted with LED lighting which uses less energy and helps to reduce the impact on the environment.

“We have not received any formal complaints about the lighting in the car park and would encourage anyone with concerns to contact us direct.”