Moves to stop thousands of street lights in Powys from being switched off have been rejected by councillors. But a  review will take place once the process has been completed.

At a meeting of Powys County Council yesterday a motion by the council’s Liberal Democrat and Conservative groups called for the scheme to stopped immediately pending a review.

It would have meant plans to switch off lights in Welshpool and Newtown would have been put on hold.

But it was defeated at the meeting in Llandrindod Wells by 38 votes to 25. 

The scheme, which started in September, is expected to be fully rolled out across the county by the beginning of November.

The council hopes to save £225,000 by switching off up to 9,000 lights, but the process has come under intense criticism.

Two out of three street lights are now being turned off in a bid to save money and reduce the council’s carbon footprint.

Councillor Michael Williams, member for Machynlleth, said many of his constituents felt “too scared” to go out at night.

He said: “I, like many other councillors, have been inundated with calls and e-mails from residents who want us to reverse this decision.”

Councillor Ann Holloway, member for Welshpool Llanerchyddol, said she hoped it would be reviewed and the possibility of part-night lighting looked into.

But Geoffrey Petty, council head of finance and corporate performance, said if the decision was reversed savings would need to be made elsewhere.

Councillors agreed to a review about the impact of the switch-off when all the lights have been turned off.