In a bid to cut carbon emissions, two districts in Essex are set to continue a trial which involves turning off streetlights late at night.The trial, which started last year, saw Maldon and Uttlesford's street lighting switched off between midnight and 5am.The pilot was due to be reviewed last month, though the lights will now be turned off for a further four to six months.One concern for residents was that crime would proliferate in the darkness and, on one street, householders have expressed their support for turning the lights back on.King Street Residents Association member Ray Knight said he believed his street was the only one to be removed from the trial and noted that the street's position meant it was not suitable for the experiment.He told Suffolk and Essex Online: "The street was in total darkness and it was very scary for people coming home in the early hours of the morning."We are the main route through from the High Street where the pubs are and there was a lot of damage to property and urinating in people's front gardens and things like that."Cutting energy bills as well as carbon emissions has become increasingly important as utility bills soar. In the US, various municipal authorities are experimenting with light-emitting diodes, which use less energy and cost less to maintain.
