Plans to switch off Worcestershire street lights 'could save £500k'

Turning off street lights overnight in Worcestershire could save almost £500,000 a year, according to the county council.

The local authority pays about £2m a year for electricity and it said the move would also help cut CO2 emissions.

In a report, it said half of its 30,000 residential street lights could be turned off between 00:00 and 05:00 GMT.

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet is expected to consider the report's findings in the new year.

The report was written after concerns were raised that switching lights off would actually cost more money than it would save.

Lights in high crime areas and near pedestrian crossings and other junctions would not be affected and any decision would go to public consultation, the council said.

It added that the cost of converting each light would be recouped within two years.

Councillor Ken Pollock said switching to energy saving LED lights could also be a long-term option and that the report recommended the local authority put together a business case.