Worrying times as 18,000 street lights may be turned off.....

Formby could be plunged into darkness as Sefton Council looks to switch off street lights to make financial savings.

Sefton Council are considering turning off our street lights in Formby and around the borough between the hours of 8pm and 6am.

Under the latest proposals, lamps in both urban and residential areas could be “turned off during times of low activity” in the cost-cutting bid.

Quelling fears that the crime could increase with the switching off of street lights, the report states: “There is no evidence to suggest a direct casual link either from the police or other councils that have undertaken this change.”

FORMBY Parish Council have raised worrying concerns over the proposal that could potentially see up to 18,000 street lights switched off across the borough as part of a money saving scheme. As part of the proposals, put forward by Sefton Council, a large proportion of the street lights across Sefton could be switched off from 8pm each evening, in order to make further cost savings. Mike Coles, Chairman of Formby Parish Council said: “It is understood that there are 31,000 lights in Sefton and 18,000 may be directly affected. ”Road junctions and major roads we have been told will be protected, but the Parish Council is concerned that these cut backs are beginning to get too severe, and while economies are needed, it seems that little or no consideration has been given to the effects this will have on the security and safety of our residents. “We have asked for assurances that the police and emergency services will be consulted, and that sufficient consideration has been given to the safety of everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, mobility users, runners and dog owners, especially in the autumn and winter. ”We are asking the borough councillors to think very carefully before they make their final decision during their budget meeting.“ The full proposals are being considered by the full council on Thursday March 5. A spokesman for Sefton Council said: ”As part of the budget proposals to be considered by the Full Council on Thursday (March 5), there is an option to seek to reduce the street lighting energy bill by £530,000 per year from 2016/17. “To achieve this a number of options are to be considered including the part night switch off for some street lights across the borough. ”However, no formal decisions have yet been made on either the savings option or any practical proposals and any future decisions would be subject to political approval and consultation.“

Sefton Council members will discuss this at the meeting tomorrow Thursday 5th March.