TALKS to turn Colchester’s streetlights back on have broken down, with senior Colchester councillors criticising Essex County Council for failing to budge from their stance.

The two authorities had held discussions about turning the streetlights back on in the borough and Colchester Council set aside funds to enable them to stay on all night, every night for the next two years.

But County Hall bosses would only agree to a four year deal, and Colchester Council could not pledge that amount of cash from existing revenues.

The part night lighting scheme sees streetlights switched off between 1am and 5am in a bid to save money and energy.

Colchester Council leader Paul Smith said: “I am obviously disappointed that we have been unable to persuade Essex County Council to switch our street lights back on. It is not for the want of trying, nor for the means to do so.

“We had already identified funding which would have enabled street lights to come back on overnight for the next two years, but County Hall was only prepared to agree a four-year deal.

“It means the money we had set aside to pay for the switch-on will now be used to support other community and heritage projects.”

The council’s portfolio holder for safety Tim Young echoed Mr Smith's disappointment.

He said: “Residents may well be wondering why their street lights will continue to be switched off overnight, especially when we were in a position to fund a switch-on lasting at least two years.

“I have to confess to being extremely disappointed that we could not convince Essex County Council to agree to our offer.

“Perhaps the only consolation is that the money we had set aside in the budget can now be directed towards boosting new and existing heritage projects in the borough.”