Is Brentwood facing a Black Out?

10.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 12th Aug 2008

In the dark from midnight to 5am?

Two leading Liberal Democrat councillors are calling on Cllr Brandon Lewis, Conservative Leader of Brentwood Borough Council, to give residents a cast-iron guarantee that Brentwood will not be taking part in any street lighting blackout programme that the County Council may be planning to roll out across Essex.

Cllrs David Kendall and Barry Aspinell, Leader and Deputy Leader of Brentwood's Lib Dems, have made their call following the news that Essex County Council has extended the trials in Uttlesford and Maldon. Street lights in those areas are currently switched off between the hours of 12am and 5am in an effort to reduce CO2 emissions and save money.

Cllr David Kendall said:

"While I am concerned about the environmental impact of CO2 emissions, I believe the safety and wellbeing of our residents has to come first.

"There have already been reports of anti social behaviour problems increasing in Uttlesford and Maldon since the trial began and we do not want to see the same on our streets.

"I hope that Cllr Lewis will offer us a swift assurance that a black-out will not come to Brentwood, especially in light of our "unique partnership" with Essex County Council"

Cllr Aspinell, added:

"When I was a county councillor, I spoke out against the lights being switched off because I had genuine concerns about anti-social behaviour and road safety issues. The trials in Uttlesford and Maldon have not allayed my fears and these concerns still remain.

"I can see no benefit to Brentwood residents in having our street lights switched off".