FOLLOWING news that a controversial plan to plunge parts of the county into darkness is continuing a Redditch councillor says we are "looking at an accident waiting to happen".

Paul Swansborough says that he will be challenging the £500,000 plan following a number of complaints from residents in his local community.

The Redditch Democratic Alliance councillor said: "Since being elected in May I have not received any briefing from Worcestershire County Council regarding the scheme which directly affects my ward.

"Large parts of Winyates are being plunged into darkness from midnight until 6am every day. Factor in the poor condition of the paths and lack of drop down kerbs and we’re looking at an accident just waiting to happen.

"People are also deeply concerned about the potential increase in crime. When I raised this particular issue with council officers, their reply was that if a link between crime and the switch off be proven then they would consider the lighting situation in a given street or area.

"I am frankly appalled by this approach. I believe that public safety should be paramount and we simply should not wait for an incident before we take action.

"In spite of the apparent safety risks it is also equally a question about fairness. We all pay the same Council Tax so why should residents in Winyates be left in the dark when other parts of the county remain lit?"

Since April workers have been ripping out 1,000 street lights per month to replace them with special dimmers which go out from midnight to 6am.

It is targeting 17,000 street lamps within two years and after starting in Redditch and Bromsgrove says Worcester will be next.

The night-time blackouts has led to virtually no complaints so far, the council insists, except for in Redditch.

The Advertiser revealed last week that Worcestershire County Council wants to expand the scheme to save another £100,00 in energy costs - but will have to invest £400,000 of taxpayers' money upfront to do so.

Mr Swansborough added: "I fully understand that we need to reduce our energy consumption to save money and cut CO2 emissions but this is not a practical way to do it.

"Why are we turning off the lights that illuminate our footpaths rather than the ones that line our roads? I can tell you why, because the county council fear probable legal liabilities associated with a potential increase in accidents on the highway. So road users appear to be more important than pedestrians as well now.

Councillor John Smith OBE, cabinet member for Highways, said: "As part of the measures to reduce CO2 emissions and to assist with overall savings, the county council has reduced the number of street lamps on the highways and footpaths by 66 per cent between midnight and 6am. Lighting at junctions has been retained for road safety reasons.

"In the months before the switch off, there was countywide press coverage and monthly public exhibitions as well as information on the county council website.

"The switch off is being introduced across the whole county in phases.

"Comments and concerns can be reported via our website, however so far we have received very little. If serious safety concerns are identified, the county council will consider each area on its individual merits."