Lights switch-off plans revealed

Torfaen council aims to switch off up to half of its street lights

Details of plans to switch off up to half of a council's 13,344 street lamps are due to be unveiled.

Torfaen council is holding the first of 20 planned exhibitions highlighting areas where the lamps could be turned out.

The county's bill for street lights is expected to rise to �600,000 this financial year and would be significantly more again in 2009-10.

The public are being asked to give their opinion about the plans.

As part of a consultation exercise, the council has organised more than 20 public exhibitions during February and March.

[Public] views will help determine which lights are left on and which lights are switched off in residential areas Councillor John Cunningham

The first exhibition is scheduled to be held at Garndiffaith Community Hall between 1300 GMT and and 1800 GMT on Monday.

Further exhibitions are due to be held.

Councillor John Cunningham, executive member for operational services, said: "It is important that residents attend these exhibitions so their views can form a vital part of the rigorous assessment of each street light.

"Their views will help determine which lights are left on and which lights are switched off in residential areas."

Since October, the council has asked residents to give their views about the decision to switch off street lights because of budgetary pressures and commitment towards reducing its carbon footprint.

Torfaen is the latest council in Wales to consider turning off street lamps to reduce its energy bills.

Its street lighting bill was �400,000 in the previous financial year but was expected to reach about �900,000 by 2009-10.

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