Street light policy leaves residents 'blacked out'

Chris Reynolds from Tile Hill said the approach to his house was "completely blacked out"

Streets in Coventry have started to fall dark overnight, as the city council implements its policy of switching off street lights after midnight.

The authority said the policy would save £700,000 a year in energy costs and cut carbon emissions by about a fifth.

But residents in Tile Hill who spoke to BBC CWR said the change was dangerous.

"I can't see very well in low-light conditions, and I have a very limited view of parked cars and people in dark clothing," Chris Reynolds said.

Rosalyn Joul added: "There's a lot of old age pensioners about, and I don't feel it's safe."

Andy and Ann Hawkins from a local funeral directors have been giving out torches to their neighbours

One business has started handing out torches to some of its neighbours, to help those arriving at or leaving their homes during the nightly blackouts.

Andy Hawkins from Franklin and Hawkins funeral directors said: "We know lots of the residents. We've been here a long time and we do anything we can to help people."

His wife and colleague, Ann, added: "Around here in these residential streets, you might be three or four minutes from your home.

"You can't always guarantee parking outside your house, and I think for everyone it's a concern, but for women in particular."

John Seddon, the council's strategic lead for policy and innovation, said: "We've specifically targeted the switch-off so that it's when the activity is least."

"We could take £700,000 off our highways maintenance bill and spend less on filling potholes, but there are other safety implications, other customer service implications of that," he added.

The savings contribute to an £8.4m target this financial year, which will also see charging for garden waste and cuts to school transport.