Belisha beacons flashing in my bedroom at night!

JakiT

I've no idea of this is the right forum but newly installed Belisha beacons flash through my curtains at night affecting my sleep. Am I entitled to unbroken sleep?!! Can the highways and byways people just keep them on rather than have them flashing all night?

Thanks in advance.

DomRavioli

Yes they can keep them on all night. Why wouldn't they - they are a crossing, to be used at any time.

Just buy a black out blind. You can get them from argos for less than £20.

JakiT

Thanks for the help (not)

I mean can they stop them FLASHING at night. FYI when they were invented they didn't flash.

I have long term health problems and sleep is very important

TheCyclingProgrammer

As the previous poster said, a blackout blind or blackout lining for your curtains should do the job.

Fat_Walt

JakiT wrote: »

Thanks for the help (not)

I mean can they stop them FLASHING at night. FYI when they were invented they didn't flash.

I have long term health problems and sleep is very important

Isn't the whole point of them flashing is to be seen in the dark?

JakiT

They can be seen in the dark without flashing i.e. if they're kept on. It's the flashing that's like torture when you're trying to sleep at night and apparently blackout curtains/blinds don't always work although will try a sleep mask...

What I was hoping for though was whether anybody knew if residents have any rights regarding flashing lights and sleep. After all it's recognised that auditory sounds are detrimental to those trying to sleep. It's not as if the road is busy at all at night. They've only been installed after a lot of pressure for a crossing outside a local school (I support the crossing for that reason though they'd have been better to have a Pelican crossing).

TheCyclingProgrammer

There are rules about nuisance lights but they don't cover street lighting.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/artificial-light-nuisances-how-councils-deal-with-complaints

They have presumably been put in for safety reasons so again, your best solution is to improve your window covering to block out more of the light.

Or buy a sleep mask?

JakiT

OK thanks, CP. That's helpful... Yes, I mentioned about a sleep mask above

robin58

With Flashing Beacons, the beacons are for car drivers only to see.

It is possible for the people e.g.council or county council to put on cowling which fits around said flashing light like a half or full tube of black painted metal which stops the light spilling into the residents property. These do exists as I pass a crossing that has them every week.

I would suggest you get into contact with either the local council or county council who deal with the road maintenance.

JakiT

Thanks Robin. They do have cowling on but because of where our property is in relation to the road, unfortunately it doesn't help!

Hintza

JakiT wrote: »

I have long term health problems and sleep is very important

If that is the case follow the advice given.