A PROPORTION of Caerphilly's 25,000 streetlights could be switched off permanently next year if residents approve of council proposals.

Locals will be consulted on four options for turning off lights in the area in a bid to save money and reduce carbon emissions.

These include switching off some lights only at night and even switching some off permanently.

The four options being considered are: * Switching off streetlights on all main roads between midnight and 5.30am.
* Switching off streetlights on all main roads permanently.
* Switching off street lights everywhere in the borough except for ones at junctions between midnight and 5.30am.
* Switching off street lights in residential areas between midnight and 5.30am but then switching off street lights on all main roads permanently.
A main road is one which connects towns and villages including industrial areas.

Deputy leader of the council, Cllr Colin Mann said: “We need to look at the turning off of lighting both on financial grounds but also on environmental grounds.”

He said there were 25,000 street lights in the borough in total but said he did not know at the moment exactly how many lights would be affected through each option or how much money would be saved through each option.

For some councillors though, they are against the proposals.

Labour councillor Robin Woodyatt said yesterday: "This is the first I have heard of the proposals which I am totally against. It is putting people’s lives at risk.”

Residents will be consulted about the options through voting leaflets, surveys and the council website.

Touchscreen voting points will also be available at the Penallta House council offices, the Pontllanfraith House council offices, Rhymney Library and Risca Library.

Th option chosen will add to the 220 lights along the A472 in Caerphilly which are currently switched off between midnight and 5.30am saving the council £12,100 a year.