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Funding to turn street lights back on to be discussed by councillors

24th September 2019
Posted by Johnny Jenkins

Councillors are set to discuss plans to switch Basildon’s street lights back on at night.

Basildon Council’s Policy and Resources Committee will meet on Wednesday 2 October to talk about entering into a four-year agreement with Essex County Council to fund night-time street lighting across the borough.

Committee will also be asked to approve funding of £146,000 to turn the street lights on at night from 31 October to March 2020 with further funding to be agreed at a later date.

The lights have been off between the hours of midnight and 5am since February 2014. The times were later altered to 1am to 5am.

Leader of Basildon Council and Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee Councillor Gavin Callaghan said:

“Lack of night-time street lighting has been a constant issue for residents over the last five years. We are acting in the best interests of residents by bringing this proposal to committee.

“This is about making our residents feel safe and giving them back the confidence to move around their own borough during these times.

“With committee’s approval I look forward to working with county council colleagues to get our lights turned back on as soon as possible.”

Essex County Council is currently undertaking a county-wide programme to upgrade existing street lights to LED lights with Basildon borough’s scheduled to be upgraded in 2020/21 as part of the programme.