STREET lights could be turned off in a bid to make further savings proposed by Hampshire County Council.

The council is asking residents to help prioritise proposals which aim to cut costs by between £50,000 and £200,000 per year.

Proposals include: further dimming, longer hours of dimming, or turning off street lights between certain hours; reducing the number of times the grass is cut in rural and / or urban areas, or stopping grass cutting; and reducing the number of times a year roadside weeds are treated or stopping weed-killing altogether.

Sean Woodward, the council’s member for economy, transport and environment, “We’ve come up with a set of proposals which include further dimming of street lights, less frequent cutting grass along the highway, and less frequent weed killing.

“We would very much like to hear what people think of these ideas, to help contribute towards the savings targets the council needs to make from its highways budget by 2017.

“Residents have told us, through the consultation we ran earlier this year, that they value highways maintenance. Therefore, these proposals do not affect the budgets currently allocated to the repair of the actual road or footway surfaces, nor safety related work.

Residents can call 0300 555 1388 for information, and to request a questionnaire or comment online at www.hants.gov.uk/high waysconsultation. before December 11. A decision will be taken in January.