ESSEX County Council is today set to agree a £6.5 million project which will see some street lights turned off at night.

Essex County Council’s cabinet is due to agree to pay Plextek for 130,000 remote controlled photocell sensors with a view to switching some off at night.

Despite a trial in Maldon and Uttlesford finding crime and road collisions stayed largely the same where lighting had been reduced, the move remains controversial with many residents.

A report says the move will save around £1 million a year in energy costs.