MORE street lights in towns and villages across Monmouthshire will be switched off overnight as the county council expands its money-saving policy.

From Saturday October 28, lights in residential areas of Magor, Undy, Rogiet, Portskewett, Caerwent, Llanfoist, Llanellen, Govilon, Gilwern and Llanelly Hill, will be switched off between midnight and 6am.

The early morning switch-off had been approved by the local authority in February 2014, with an initial rollout covering Caldicot, Chepstow, Monmouth, Usk and Abergavenny.

It forms a wider effort to save up to £180,000 a year on street lighting costs.

The council have agreed that no lights will be switched off in areas of traffic calming, pedestrian crossings or other “high risk” pedestrian areas.

Council street lighting officers have already met with county councillors, and town and community councillors, to earmark areas where lights could be kept on.

Cllr Frances Taylor, member for Mill, urged her constituents to get in touch with any concerns.

“While it not desirable, it has become necessary in the context of budget savings,” the independent councillor said.

“But it is paramount to keep the public safe. I still have some apprehension but we will see how it goes.”

Cllr Kevin Williams has been a long-time opponent of the policy, having launched a failed attempt to overturn it in March 2014.

Speaking to the Free Press yesterday, he said: “I am totally against this and I always will be.

“I think for what the council are hoping to save, which is a pittance, it’s just crazy. I’ve had several people in Govilon ask about the changes and they’re disgusted.”

Cllr Frank Rowberry, of Caldicot Town Council, believes the expansion could expose “more vulnerable” residents to be targeted.

In June 2015, he claimed that the switch-off would “invite more criminals” but conceded that he has not received reports suggesting an increase in crime from residents in the last three years.

Cllr Bryan Jones, cabinet member with responsibility for the county’s street lighting, said he understood residents feeling some apprehension but is confident any potential impacts could be “minimised”.

He said: “In previous years, we have been able to make significant savings through working more efficiently. However, the scale of cuts in recent years means that we can’t avoid making savings that could impact on the communities we serve.

“I understand entirely that many people won’t like the idea of streetlights being turned off but we have limited the hours when this will happen and I’m confident that we have done what we can to minimise the impact.”