PLANS to save £400,000 on energy bills by turning street lights in North Yorkshire off for part of the night have been put forward.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive has voted to introduce the system and says it would also reduce carbon emissions by almost 2,000 tonnes, but has said no lights will be switched off in areas where safety and crime is an issue.

The four-year plan will see a review of the region’s 48,000 council-owned street lights carried out, with those which are no longer needed being removed. The authority says communities will be consulted before any decisions are taken.

The scheme could ultimately see almost two-thirds of the council’s street lights turned off for part of the night.

Coun Gareth Dadd, executive member for highways, said: “It is important the police and local parish or town councils are involved in the assessment process.”