FEWER than 300 people have expressed their views on controversial plans to turn off half the street lights in Torfaen.

With just two weeks remaining of a consultation period over the plans, local councillors say not enough people have come forward to give their opinion on the matter Since October last year, Torfaen council has seen 282 people respond by either sending back a freepost form printed in the January edition of Torfaen Talks, filling out a form online, ringing in with their comments or by writing a letter.

Residents now have until January 31 to have their say.

Councillor John Cunningham, Executive Member for Operational Services, said: “It is important that people have their say because this is an issue that affects the whole of the county borough.

“We are disappointed with the response so far but there is still time for people to give us their views.”

The council says street lighting in Torfaen is being reviewed because of the spiralling cost of power, budgetary pressures and commitments towards improving its carbon footprint.

The council’s cabinet committee has agreed to switch off up to 50 per cent of streetlights.

And later this month street lights along A and B roads, apart from those at main junctions and roundabouts, will be turned off but the council is inviting people to help determine how lights are switched off in residential areas.

Timer switches are due to be installed on around 4,600 lights in residential areas during February and March.

This will mean they will be switched off between midnight and 5.30am.

Around 4,140 streetlights in residential areas are then due to be decommissioned in April and May.

Residents can have their say by sending back a form printed in January’s Torfaen Talks, by logging on www.torfaen.gov.uk/streetlights, by contacting their local councillor or by calling the council on 01495 762200.