PLANS to reduce the levels of street lighting in Hertfordshire have been trialled in Welwyn Garden City.

Hertfordshire Highways has carried out a preliminary test on part-night lighting, switching off some of the town’s lights between midnight and 6am, in a bid to save cash and cut carbon emissions.

As previously reported in the Welwyn Hatfield Times, the idea of switching off street lights was being considered by Hertfordshire County Council’s highways and transport cabinet back in November, as it looks to cut an annual electricity bill of �10m, generated in part by the 115,000 street lights in Hertfordshire.

County councillor Stuart Pile, executive member for highways and transport, said: “Electricity costs alone account for a third of the street lighting budget and the energy used is responsible for around 22,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

“While there is no statutory requirement on local authorities in the UK to provide public lighting, there are national carbon reduction targets that we have to meet or we will be fined.

“The trial in WGC demonstrated the potential to save �1.3 million a year through introducing part night lighting as well as helping the environment and reducing the amount we will have to pay in carbon emission tax.”

Cllr Pile added: “However, plans to introduce part night lighting all depend on money being allocated in next year’s budget for the equipment needed.”