Views sought on Derbyshire street lighting plan

Plans to switch off up to 60,000 street lights in Derbyshire are to be put out to public consultation.

Last week the county council confirmed it was looking at turning off more than 60% of its 89,000 street lights between midnight and 05:30.

It is estimated the move would save £400,000 from the authority's energy bill, which last year cost £2.47m.

The council's cabinet has now approved a seven week consultation which will begin on 19 October.

Safety fears

Some main traffic routes, town centres, areas with high rates of crime or road accidents will not be affected by the plans.

Councillor Simon Spencer said he was confident safety would not be compromised.

"From the information and the evidence we have to date there will be a perception that crime will increase - and we take that seriously," he said.

"But we are confident that perception is unfounded."

The authority said its energy bills had increased from £1.87m in 2006/07 to £2.47m in 2010/11 and the move would also cut carbon emissions.