'Mixed response' to street lights switch-off trial

MEMBERS of Neath Port Talbot Council have heard feedback from a part night lighting trial designed to help tackle the authority's growing energy bills.

- LEWIS SMITH

The report came at a scrutiny committee on June 27 where members heard results of the scheme to test switching off street lights between the hours of 1am and 5am to save money on energy costs.

Councillors in attendance were told the move came after the cost of energy had increased “significantly” for the local authority since the 2022-23 financial year with two consecutive years of “substantial overspend” on the lighting energy budget.

This came despite saving measures which included the installation of low-wattage LED lights, dimming lights across the borough, and altering the times they were turned on and off.