Warwickshire street lights to be switched off to save cash

Street lights in Warwickshire are set to be switched off at night to save money.



Warwickshire County Council’s budget – which is expected to be voted through by ruling Conservatives tomorrow – includes plans to plunge roads into darkness.

Opposition Labour councillor Richard Chattaway branded it a “crooks’ charter” and a “passport to leisure for burglars”.

The AA is among safety groups concerned that some councils are putting lives at risk by turning the lights off.

It says nearly half of all crashes occur after dark, when only a quarter of journeys are made.

Coventry City Council’s budget does not have a switch-off plan, but new street lights under a £250million private finance scheme are to be controlled by dimmer switches.

Warwickshire’s £60million three-year cuts plan – in response to huge government funding cuts – includes saving £500,000 by turning off street lights.

The council told the Telegraph it is examining fitting street light columns with sensors so they can be switched off from midnight to 5.30am.

Conservative councillor Alan Cockburn, environment and economy cabinet member, said: “We have carefully considered whether it is really necessary for all street lights to be on all night, and residents should be reassured they will remain on in the evenings when people need them on most.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE OF THIS STORY