Kent County Council’s decision to switch off 70,000 street lights at night has triggered fury among residents and politicians.

Gravesham Council has slammed the decision taken by KCC to switch off lights between midnight and 5.30am across areas such as Gravesend, Northfleet and Greenhithe to save on energy bills.

A paramedic from Gravesend was one of the hundreds who commented on or ‘liked’ Gravesham Council’s Facebook campaign against KCC’s proposal.

Louisa Cole said: "Trying to find a house in the middle of the night in pitch black is a nightmare.

"If your mother, wife, child etc suddenly has a medical emergency - you would want me to find you quickly."

Another resident, Nikki Dunthorne, described how she was burgled "three days into this stupid idea" and how she no longer "feels safe".

KCC said they are planning to invest the £1 million savings into frontline services.

The council’s head of programmed works Behdad Haratbar said: "We worked closely with Kent Police, using their crime statistics and experience, to identify sites with a record of crime or the potential for increased crime if street lighting was changed. 

"These sites will continue to be lit on an all-night basis. We have also excluded sites with a history of accidents.

"We are continuing to work with the police, and the crime and crash statistics for each district will be reviewed 12 months after their lights were converted for part-night lighting or the trail switch off."

Gravesham Council said the consultation for KCC’s plan was "fundamentally flawed".

News Shopper: Council Leader, Labour Councillor John Burden

Leader Councillor John Burden said: "The public is confused and we think it should be made abundantly clear this decision was taken by KCC. 

"This council opposes the switch off and we want to encourage people to use the e-petition on the Kent website to voice their opposition."

However some politicians are supportive of the light switch-off and have criticised Gravesham Council’s social media campaign, describing Coun Burden’s comments as political opportunism.

Gravesham MP Adam Holloway told News Shopper: "This is a campaign being run by the local Labour party dressed up as the council.

"For my part I would much prefer it if KCC did not burn our money when we are fast asleep."

News Shopper: Adam Holloway expressed concern over the cost of a new crossing.

KCC member for Gravesham Rural, Councillor Bryan Sweetland said: "Coun Burden was first briefed by KCC about the Street light switch off in March 2012 then again in March 2013 and again in early 2014.

"Even his well oiled press office was not instructed to inform 'confused’ residents until now, a few months before an election." 

The petition will close on February 10, next year. Around 800 people have signed the online petition so far.

Visit kent.gov.uk/petitions

Residents' views

Many took to Gravesham Council's Facebook page to air their concerns.

Tina Brooker, from Gravesend, said: "Streetlights are a necessity, a basic safety measure. 

"How dare these be taken away without our knowledge or consent. 

"We all deserve to be kept safe in an uncertain world."

Nikki Dunthorne said: "My whole estate goes pitch black every single night.

"To make matters worse three days into the stupid idea, I was burgled. 

"I no longer feel safe coming home after a night out. 

"Turning from a lit main road into total darkness is so scary. Please turn them back on before someone is hurt in the shadows."