RESIDENTIAL areas in Hertsmere could be plunged into darkness after funding was agreed for a £4.5 million scheme to switch off streetlights.

Plans to introduce the scheme, which could save up to £1.3m a year in running costs, were discussed at Hertfordshire County Council's full council meeting last Friday.

Councillor Stuart Pile, executive member for highways and transport, said the county's 115,000 street lights cost £10m a year to run and encouraged the scheme in light of electricity charges expected to double in the next few years.

At a Highways and Transport Panel meeting in November last year it was agreed that part-night lighting should be explored, along with turning lights off completely in some areas.

There was unanimous agreement that street lights should be turned off completely where there is little or no footfall and part night lighting was considered the best option in urban areas.

Cllr Pile said: "This is a case of investing to save. We need to make an initial outlay to buy the equipment - called photocells - that will allow street lights in carefully selected parts of the county to be switched off between midnight and 6am.

"We appreciate that some residents may have concerns about our proposals. The safety and wellbeing of residents and motorists is very important to us.

"Areas where there is pedestrian activity after midnight, such as town centres, will remain lit throughout the night.

"Lights will also remain on at major road junctions and sites where there is a history of accidents. We are working closely with the police to develop the best approach for areas with higher crime rates."

Areas that could be included in the scheme have not been chosen yet.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Williamson, from Hertfordshire Constabulary, said: "We will continue to work closely with the county council around street lighting to ensure the constabulary's perspective is considered and to identify those specific locations where it would be desirable to maintain street lighting through the night."

The highways and transport panel will discuss the proposals further at a meeting on March 15.

What are your views on the council's plans for streetlights in the county? Leave your comments below.