Slough: Plans to dim street lights across town to save money

A final decision on the plans will be made in June

Some street lights will be dimmed as part of a trial, despite warnings the move could result in increased crime.

The proposals have been put forward by Slough Borough Council in a bid to save £25,000.

The trial will be rolled out in five areas of Slough - the Rochfords Gardens and Goodman Park estates, Maplin Park, Colnbrook, part of Cippenham Green and the northern part of Britwell.

It will start on 13 February.

The council said the first part of the trial would end on 25 March and the second phase would begin on 26 March.

A final decision over the proposal is expected to be made in June.

The council said the five areas were chosen as they were "discrete residential areas, not affected by any overspill lighting from the M4" and did not include shopping areas, major road junctions and public transport hubs.

Parks in the trial areas will not be affected, with the lights remaining at their current levels.

An impact assessment listed an increase in crime and disorder, road traffic safety concerns and perception of lack of safety as possible risks, particularly for the elderly, disabled people, women and girls.

But the council said there might be the opportunity to reduce electricity further "without undue detriment".

The authority said this would be a "data-led" trial with Thames Valley Police to see if crime in specific locations will increase as a result of dimming the lights.

If data shows crime has increased, that area will be "revisited", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.