Turning off street lights to save a cash-strapped council money could lead to night-time crashes at a Norfolk accident blackspot, worried councillors have warned.
Norfolk county councillors Alexandra Kemp and Jim Moriarty have both raised concerns over County Hall's proposals to switch off lights on the B1145 Gayton Road near Bawsey as part of wider money-saving plans.
They say that turning off the lights on that stretch of road - known as the Bawsey Dips or Bawsey Bumps because of the number of hidden humps - would be dangerous.
Ms Kemp, independent county councillor for Clenchwarton and King's Lynn South, said: "I am deeply troubled at the lack of understanding about the key role of night lighting on making safer the series of concealed humps on the Bawsey Dips.
"I recall that night lighting and a reduction in the speed limit over the Bawsey Dips, were introduced to this key fatal accident black spot 40 years ago.
"If you take away the streetlights, the accidents will increase again at night. No one feels safe driving over the dips, but the night lighting is an early warning sign of traffic ahead that would otherwise not be seen. It increases safety."
As part of £42m of cuts and savings, the Conservative-controlled council wants to switch off a thousand street lights in 33 roads, including on Gayton Road.
The council says its power bills are rising and switching off 2pc of its 54,000 street lights will save up to £200,000 a year. It would also cut carbon emissions by an annual 76 tonnes.
Mr Moriarty, independent county councillor for Gayton and Nar Valley, said: "It's dangerous enough already. At night, if it's raining, you're going over dips, you won't see cyclists unless we have some lights."
Consultation into the street light switch-off ended on Friday March 22.
A county council spokesperson said: "We’re grateful to everyone who has taken the time to let us know their views, which will be carefully considered by councillors before any decisions are made.
"If approved, the proposals will be risk assessed in collaboration with our network safety team and we will consult with Norfolk police to ensure areas are suitable for switch-off.
"If any roads fail the assessment, we will need to consider alternative options to meet the savings target."
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