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Plans to switch off street lights in Powys to fund massive energy increases are underway, Powys County Council has announced.

Two out of three lights in non-sensitive areas will be switched off as the council attempts to manage its power budget following massive increases in the cost of energy.

The switch off, which started on Monday, could also cut the council’s carbon footprint by up to 1,100 tonnes a year and reduce night sky pollution.

Councillor Gwilym Evans, Board Member for Local Services said; “The council is responsible for more than 14,000 street lights on county roads and is facing huge increases in energy costs at a time when budgets are under increasing pressure.

“We had considered moving to part-night lighting and other measures to tackle the budget problem but the scale of energy cost increases and time required to carryout the work has meant a taking a more radical approach.

“The Board decided that the only way to keep within budget with the scale of increases was to switch off the majority of lights in some areas. That work has now started.

“Sensitive areas such as those covered by CCTV, pedestrian and zebra crossings, traffic calming measures, near hospitals, medical centres and sheltered housing or with known problems will not be affected.

“We realise that the decision will cause some concern but the alternative is to pass the increased cost onto the council tax payer,” he said.

Lights switched off during the process will be identified with stickers attached to the light column.

The plans will not affect trunk roads, where lighting is the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government.