COUNCIL chiefs will today decide if streetlights will be dimmed across Southampton.

Thousands of new energy saving lightbulbs have been installed in streetlights in communities across the city as the council aims to save money and become more energy efficient.

If councillors agree to the proposals, the lighting levels in areas where lights have been replaced will be reduced by:

  •  25 per cent between dusk and midnight.
  •  50 per cent between midnight and 5am.
  •  25 per cent between 5am and dawn.

Lighting levels on main primary and secondary primary traffic routes, following the installation of new lighting units, will be reduced by 25 per cent between midnight and 5am if the proposals are passed.

As reported by the Daily Echo, Southampton City Council has set itself a target of reducing its CO2 emissions by 40 per cent by 2020.

More than 13,000 units have already been replaced in areas of the city including Freemantle, Redbridge, Bitterne Park, Swaythling, Shirley and Millbrook.

The scheme, which will oversee the replacement of 28,000 lighting units in the city over a five-year period, is part of a private finance initiative between the authority and electricity firm SSE.

It is anticipated the council would make a saving of £284,000 a year – a 28 per cent saving – through the dimming programme, compared to the original annual energy cost of £1,019,000 in 2010/11.

If adopted by councillors, dimming will not take place in the city centre area, city parks, suburban shopping precincts, and car parks.

Street light reduction schemes have been adopted by other local authorities across the country but have proved controversial.

It has led to a fear of increased antisocial behaviour and crime in some communities, and others say light reduction could pose a risk to public safety.