SURREY County Council has announced plans to turn off more than 40,000 street lights overnight in a new cost-saving initiative.

The council is yet to decide which streets will be plunged into darkness, but it has confirmed that 30,000 lights will be turned off between midnight and 5am from October 1 this year, with an additional 12,000 to be switched off in either December or January.

It is hoped the move could save Surrey up to £240,000 in the current financial year, with the list of affected streets to be published publicly this September.

A county council spokesman said: “Due to the ever-increasing demand for our services coupled with a reduction in government funding, we are exploring the possibility of switching off some of the street lights in quiet areas with low amounts of traffic in the early hours of the morning.

“All roads being considered will be risk-assessed and discussed with partners before any decisions are made and these will be communicated to any residents affected in advance.”

The cost-saving measure has been criticised by opposition councillors who have accused Surrey of endangering the safety and security of residents.

Lib Dem councillor for Dorking South and the Holmwoods, Stephen Cooksey, said: “It is a sad day for residents when the county council is unable or unwilling to maintain streetlighting for its taxpayers throughout the night.

“Street lights provide an important element of safety and security for residents and plunging large areas into darkness for a large part of the night will not be acceptable to very many people.

“My experience is that most people are keen to see additional lighting in poorly lit areas. This has been even more the case in the light of continued reductions in police resources.”

It comes after a report for the Local Government Association last year found reduced street lighting at night does not lead to an increase in crime or car crashes.