A PITSEA campaigner has slammed Essex County Council for refusing to spend just 29p a month on every household to ensure street lights can stay on.

Charles March, 60 is concerned for the safety of his community if streets are plunged into darkness.

Essex County Council wants to turn off 70 per cent of streetlights between midnight and 5am from November, sparking fears crime will rise as a result.

“Mr March, of HighBarrets, said: “This has been going on for years in other parts of the country and now it is finally making its way to us.

“It’s so obvious what is going to happen. I’m an engineer, so I’m used to looking into the future to see potential problems.

“Police always say you should park your car in well-lit areas, so crime will increase if this goes ahead.

“Street lighting was installed primarily so road users could see at night, so by switching them off pedestrians could trip and injure themselves, cyclists could miss obstructions and it will be hard for motorists to spot pedestrians or see the road clearly.

“No roads should havepart-night lighting and at the very least dimming should be considered.

“This is a foolish plan which will inevitably lead to increases in home and vehicle insurance costs.”

As part of an ongoing consultation into the proposals, Mr March has submitted his own findings to the council, which show keeping the lights on would cost just 29p per household per month.

The campaigner is urging his fellow Pitsea residents to take part in the consultation.