263 Torfaen residents lodge streetlight switch-off complaints

In total, 263 complaints have been made to the council since the switch-off began in March with 81 of these being successful.

Of these 81 successful complaints a few residents had asked for more lights to be turned off but the majority had asked for lights to be turned back on.

Among the complainants asking for lights to be switched back on were Cwmbran residents Harry and Barbara Thomas and their neighbour Moiros Evans, 78, who live in Grange Path but their complaint was not successful.

Mr Evans, 78, dislocated his finger and Mrs Thomas, 65, injured her wrist during falls on an unlit part of their street, during the past fortnight, because they were unable to see patches of ice on the pavement.

Mr Thomas, 67, said: "It’s very dangerous, especially with elderly people living around here.”

A Torfaen council spokesman said the authority believed sufficient lighting for the area was provided by two nearby street lights.

He added: "We have looked at each appeal individually and sympathetically and, where possible, have tried to agree a compromise.”

In total across Torfaen, 3,200 lights have been turned off and 4,200 put on timers so far through the switch off which is due to be completed within the next few months.

Caerphilly residents' share streetlight concern

Residents in Caerphilly are concerned for their safety too as the area becomes the latest county borough to propose switching streetlights off.

The Argus reported last week how locals will be consulted from mid-January on four options for turning off lights in the area in a bid to save money and reduce carbon emissions.

Options include switching off lights in residential areas between midnight and 5.30am or switching off lights on main roads permanently.

Pearl and Eddie Thomas own the New Foresters pub in High Street, Blackwood.

Mrs Thomas said: “For people like us who don’t finish work until about 2am and for our customers leaving the pub late it is not safe at all."