SURREY County Council has announced plans to turn off more than 40,000 streetlights overnight in a new cost-saving initiative.

It has confirmed 30,000 lamp-posts will be swtiched off between midnight and 5am from October 1, with 12,000 more to be switched off in December or January.

It is hoped the move could save Surrey up to £240,000 in the current financial year, with the list of streets set to be plunged into darkness will be published in September.

A council spokesman said: "Due to the ever-increasing demand for our services coupled with a reduction in government funding, we are exploring the possibility of switching off some of the streetlights in quiet areas with low amounts of traffic in the early hours of the morning.

“Roads being considered will be risk-assessed and discussed with partners before decisions are made and these will be communicated to any residents affected in advance.”

The cost-saving measure has been criticised by opposition councillors who have accused Surrey of endangering the safety and security of residents.

Lib Dem councillor Stephen Cooksey, said: “Streetlights provide an important element of safety and security for residents and plunging large areas into darkness for a large part of the night will not be acceptable to very many people.

“My experience is most people are keen to see additional lighting in poorly lit areas. This has been even more the case in the light of continued reductions in police resources.

“I will strongly oppose this move and hope residents will make their views known to the council about what is yet another significant reduction in service.”

A Local Government Association report last year found reduced street lighting at night does not lead to an increase in crime or road accidents.