HOPES have been raised a deal could be struck to switch streetlights back on in south Essex, after another council’s decision.

Lights in Harlowwill remain on between midnight and 5am, after the local authority agreed to raise council tax by 1.5 per cent, generating £100,000 extra annual income for Essex County Council.

Tory-run County Hall began plunging streets into darkness in a bid to save an estimated £1million a year.

Nearly ten months ago, Castle Point Council offered to use £68,000 from its reserves to keep streetlights on, but the suggestion was thrown out by County Hall.

Bill Sharp, deputy leader, said: “We are watching the case with interest and we will most certainly be following suit if the opportunity arises, although we initiated this long before Harlow.

“It’s important to say streetlights are Essex County Council’s responsibility and residents will be paying twice for the same thing, which just isn’t acceptable.

“Luckily we have the money in reserves, so this won’t affect residents in Castle Point.”

Basildon Council has previously offered to find cash to fund LED lighting in the borough, but the bid was turned down by County Hall because it was deemed “economically unviable”. Southend Council, a unitary authority, set aside £2.65million last year to replace all of its street lights with brighter, cost-effective LED bulbs, to cut energy bills by two-thirds.

Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, believes the victory in Harlow could be a sign of things to come throughout the rest of Essex.

He said: “We’ve asked Essex County Council before about whether we can make a contribution towards LED lights, but we got a definite no.

“If the stance is now softening, which it should be, then that could open up discussions again.

“We all want the streetlights back on. It was a bad day when they decided to do what they have done without a wide consultation.”

Rochford Council was told by Rodney Bass, highways boss at County Hall, it would need to pay three years cash upfront – £219,000 – before its plea to keep the streetlights on would be discussed.

John Mason, Rochford District councillor for Hawkwell West, who has campaigned on the issue, said: “There is no way we would be able to raise that much money.

“If Harlow is going to have to pay three years up front like us, that is £300,000. I’m not sure Essex County Council is actually going to agree to the lights staying on when it comes down to it.”