Leicestershire street light scheme to be extended

More street lights in Leicestershire are being switched off or dimmed to save money, the county council has announced.

By April, 1,960 lamps alongside main roads in a number of areas will be turned off or dimmed.

The move is the latest stage of the authority's plan to cut £700,000 from its £3m street lighting bill and reduce carbon emissions.

Emergency services were consulted on the scheme, the council said.

Lesley Pendleton, county council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "Dimming lights beside main roads and switching off others that aren't needed saves money and reduces energy costs and pollution.

"Before changes are made to any street lights, every potential site is assessed thoroughly and consultation carried out with the emergency services and the council's accident unit.

"The vast majority of feedback has been positive and although we do recognise there may be public concerns about switching off street lights late at night, other councils have adopted this approach and found that it has not led to increased crime."