Lighting blackout on Bishop's Castle streets is criticised

The Shropshire Council scheme sees selected street lights, such as on Corporation Street and Oak Meadow, turned off between 1am and 6am to save cash and reduce Shirehall's carbon footprint.However, a meeting of Bishop's Castle Town Council on Tuesday night heard people have voiced concerns.

Councillor Karen Bavastock said: "I've been approached by widowed ladies and people that feel very vulnerable with no lights outside their houses and we are aware of the people trying to get to work."

The meeting at Bishop's Castle Town Hall was told by clerk Dianne Malley how the town council had received letters of complaint from people walking to work in the morning.

Mrs Malley said councillors had also been approached by concerned locals since the scheme was launched about seven weeks ago.

Councillor Bavastock added: "It's very unnerving at night not having any lights on and from a health and safety point of view and peace of mind point of view we really need to look at this.

"I know when we looked at this originally I proposed we had key lights left on which I felt would have resolved the situation. It is not good enough and something needs to be done."

Under the scheme, which is currently being rolled out across the county, all Shropshire Council operated street lights are switched off except for those on main roads, busy junctions or areas where a public safety risk has been identified.

Mayor Keith Pinches said: "I think the people who make these decisions should come out at 5.30am and see how bad it is."

Councillors agreed to contact Shropshire Council and see if individual lights could be kept on in certain areas.

By Peter Finch