EXETER councillors have rejected plans by the county council to switch off the city's street lights overnight.

And their main concern is the safety of residents.

As revealed in the Echo, Devon County Council wants to introduce part-time lighting in residential areas across the county.

Exeter City council's economy scrutiny committee was consulted on setting up a trial in the city — but decided instead to write to the county saying it doesn't think the scheme is right for Exeter.

Committee chairman Councillor John Winterbottom, said: "Safety was the biggest concern but there is also the consideration that street lighting is a basic service that we should be providing, along with street cleaning and collecting rubbish.

"The committee also felt that in this day and age the county council should be looking at new ways of reducing the carbon footprint, using up to date technology rather than just switching off lights."

The committee heard that good lighting is essential for CCTV coverage of the city centre.

Committee member, Exwick city councillor Adrian Hannaford, told the Echo that there was also a feeling among members that there had been no proper consultation, that the city had a 24/7 culture and that safety should not be put aside on grounds of cost.

Cllr Hannaford said: "I am very pleased that the committee rejected this proposed move and we will be sending a very strongly worded letter as our official response.

"Since the original story appeared in the Echo many local residents contacted me to support voting against turning off the city's street lights.

"We simply cannot turn off all these lights and leave the city in darkness, as there would be a big rise in crime, accidents and general injuries to local residents."

Cllr Hannaford added: "In my ward many people do shift work in places such as the hospital, hold down cleaning jobs and others who are on call for the emergency services, who may need to get around during the suggested switch-off times.

"If the county council is really serious about saving money and also the environment they should be giving a really serious look at rolling out more solar powered street lights with energy-saving fittings, and not imposing a modern-day black out."

Although the city council is to write to the country saying it does not approve of the policy for Exeter, it is only a consultee and the county council could still go ahead with the plan.

Lights on main routes would be kept on and in residential areas affected lights would be switched off between 12.30am to 5.30am.

A spokeswoman for the city council said: "The city council is responsible for some 'district lighting' and even if the county council decided to go ahead with part-time lighting, it would be up to Exeter City Council to make the decision."