COUNCILLORS want streetlights to remain off in Lawford – even if power over them is devolved to the district council.

Earlier this year, Tendring Council agreed to set aside £160,000 to pay Essex County Council to switch streetlights back on across the district.

A working party was set up to decide where lights should be switched on, but Lawford Parish Council has agreed they are happy with the situation as it stands, where lights owned by County Hall are switched off between 1am and 5am.

District councillor for Lawford Val Guglielmi said: “I have had absolutely nobody come to me and complain about the lights.

“In fact, people have been saying please don’t get them switched back on.” Lawford parish councillor Carlo Gugliemi added: “Those who want the lights back on should pay themselves.

“There has been a lot of scaremongering from people hell-bent on getting the lights back on.

“If the district council wants to manage the streetlights, then those who want them back on should have to pay.”

Lawford Parish Council also owns a number of streetlights which are kept on throughout the night.