Parts of Bexley are to be left in darkness as the council attempts to find savings of over a third of its spending.

Following consultation with the emergency services and other key stakeholders, the council has selected a small area for its lights-out scheme.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Alex Sawyer, said: “We have not taken the decision to implement this pilot lightly.

“The fact remains that we cannot go on spending as much as we do on our street lights.”

The Council is looking at various options for reducing costs including part night lighting, which would mean switching off some street lights from midnight until 5.30am.

TOP STORIES: Following a recent price increase, the energy bill for the 20,000 street lights the council maintains is expected to reach £1 million a year.

The pilot will take place over four to six months.

Residents in the pilot and surrounding area have received a letter advising of these works.

If it proves successful, the scheme will be extended across the Borough.

Over the next four years the council says it needs to make savings of around £50 million on top of the £60 million already saved - a third of the Council’s current spending.

For more information about the pilot scheme email streetlighting@bexley.gov.uk or visit the Council’s website here.