Street lights out for Shropshire roads

Controversial plans to switch off 12,500 street lights after midnight across Shropshire to save £125,000 a year will start next month, it was announced today.

Shropshire Council is pressing ahead with its plans to turn off 70 per cent of its 18,500 street lights between midnight and 5.30am. The switch-off will start on June 18.

Villages to the south of Shrewsbury such as Bayston Hill, Minsterley and Pontesbury will be the first to convert to 'part-night' lighting, followed by south Shropshire, including Church Stretton, Craven Arms and Ludlow, from July.

Street lights in large parts of Shrewsbury will be turned off by the end of the year, in Copthorne, Radbrook, Harlescott and Ditherington, with the remainder going in the next year. Bridgnorth and Whitchurch, Ellesmere, Wem and Market Drayton will switch off in 2014-15.

The county roll-out, which will cost £250,000 over four years, follows a successful pilot scheme in Church Stretton, with council chiefs claiming it will reduce energy use by 20 per cent and save almost 1,000 tonnes of carbon each year.

But fears have been raised that it will lead to a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour. Shropshire Councilors for Wem, Pauline Dee, said: "People are concerned because they are used to lights being on all night."

The changes will be carried out by council contractor Ringway, but not every light will be affected, with more than 6,000 staying on.

Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for street lighting, said: "I hope people understand the benefits these changes will have.

"It will reduce carbon emissions, save energy costs, and help stargazers see the sky.

"We've had discussions with the emergency services and town and parish councils about which lights are in the scheme, and a lot of work has gone in so things like dangerous road junctions are not included."

Find out which street lights will be affected here.