Overview
- Leipzig announced on Wednesday that, starting next week, streetlights will be switched off on two stretches: Wundtstraße south of the Schleußiger Weg bridge and Travniker Straße between Defoestraße and Linkelstraße.
- The move will deactivate 278 light points and is expected to save about 83,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year while also reducing maintenance costs.
- Officials argue the switch-off is lawful because the affected sections are used mainly by motor vehicles and therefore not required to be lit under the Straßenverkehrsordnung.
- The city says protecting nocturnal habitats in the nearby Auwald and cutting light pollution motivated the decision and that the lamps will only be turned off, not removed, during the trial.
- Leipzig is taking part as a follower city in the EU-funded 'The Art of Darkness' project and will evaluate traffic safety, ecological impact and costs after one year before deciding on permanent changes.