Street light switch-off in bid to cut costs
A move to switch off thousands of street lights overnight as part of cost-cutting and energy-saving measures could begin a early as next month.
Lights will be converted to automatically turn off at midnight in towns and villages surrounding Wolverhampton before coming back on again at 5am.
Among those affected will be Albrighton, Alveley, Bridgnorth, Claverley, Cosford, Shifnal, Highley, Morville and Quatford.
Christian Lea, Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth, said the switch over would take place on October 10 and October 23.
Councillor Lea, speaking during Tuesday's Bridgnorth Town meeting, said: "The county council plans to change 12,500 of its 18.900 lights across the county. It will reduce energy use by 20 per cent.
"I know there are concerns about the part night light but a few days ago I visited my grandmother in Oswestry where it has already been introduced and there has actually been a reduction in crime.
"Although there are concerns I hope it will not have a bad impact."
The decision to switch off the street lights to save energy and cut costs has come under fire from councils and civic leaders.
Councillor Claire Wild, Shropshire's cabinet member for highways, said: "This has been a long-running programme and we are now into the final stages."
