Colchester to pay for street lights - but it still has to be approved

In November 2013, the county council opted to switch off seven in ten street lights across the borough between midnight and 5am in a bid to save energy costs and carbon emissions.

Now Colchester Council’s cabinet has voted to set aside the money from this year’s £203,000 underspend.

The funding will last for one year until April 2016.

The move–put forward by outgoing council leader Martin Hunt – has drawn criticism from fellow councillors because it represents a significant departure from usual practice in paying for something which is the responsibility of the county council.

Opposition councillors also pointed to cuts by the administration in the past five years, such as the emotive closure of Joyce Brooks House and plans to stop funding public toilets in tourism hotspots to the tune of £12,000. Conservative leader Dennis Willetts labelled the plan “a kneejerk reaction in the run-up to election time.

But Mr Hunt said: “I accept the fact this is a balanced decision in terms of human need against sensible budget provision.”

He added his mind was focussed when Nick Sherwood, 25, died after being hit by a car in St Andrew’s Avenue, last month.

Mr Hunt said: “It changed my mind because I looked at it as a driver. When I am driving in the dark with my headlights on, I can see what my headlights show me. If the lights are on, I can see much further.

“That lad would not have been hit by that car if the lights had been on because the driver would have seen him much sooner.Iknow I can’t prove that. How much is a life worth, £185,000?

“I would personally find it difficult to live with myself if I did not do my utmost to prevent a tragic death happening again.”

Tim Young, councillor for community safety, added his support to the move, saying: “The police have told me the streetlights being off was a contributory factor in that collision.

“How could we look Nick Sherwood’s family in the eye if we didn’t do this?

“I know it causes problems in the future, but I am confident Essex County Council will eventually change its mind and turn the lights back on.”

Each cabinet member was given a free vote on the issue with five councillors voting through the plans.

Three abstained.

Concerns were raised about how much it will cost to put the lights back on.

In 2013, County Hall initially said the move would save £130,000 in Colchester but when Colchester Council first broached the subject, they were told £160,000 would be required. In a second meeting, it rose to £185,000.

Council finance chief Paul Smith added he was suspicious about the figures and he abstained from voting.

He said: “At the end of the day, it is head and heart time. This is not our responsibility.

“My natural reaction is to go with my mind and I feel it is not right for us. But I cannot vote against switching the lights back on.”

COLCHESTER Council still needs permission from Essex County Council for the lights to be switched back on.

Essex highways chief Rodney Bass, pictured, has dismissed an application by the Labour-run Harlow Council which offered to pay £121,000 to keep lights in its area on all night.

But Conservative Mr Bass dismissed the request as “bizarre”. He told Harlow Council leader Jon Clempner there was “no sensible rationale” for the change in stance, adding there is no evidence of an increase in crime or traffic accidents which could be attributed to the switch off.

He added: “Essex County Council is not willing to even agree to the principle of your proposal at this time.”

Mr Bass outlined plans to “look more actively” at LED lighting. He added: “Only then might we be in a position to have a meaningful discussion about ownership and management of the different classes of streetlights.”

In relation to Colchester, he said: “We need to receive the proposal put forward by Colchester Council. Once this has been received, we will consider it.