Sir,

I was glad to read a suggestion coming from a meeting of Tenby Town Council reported in one of last week's front page stories: 'Estate like a 'black hole' after street lighting cuts'.

In order to avoid a total blackout and all of the risks associated with it, Clr. Caroline Thomas suggests that Pembrokeshire County Council could use discretion in some areas and leave every third street light on rather than switching all of them off to save money.

I've been approached with similar concerns over the street lighting in parts of my ward. Back in May I put a very similar idea to the council, and was told that this couldn't be done. I got the impression that even with the best will in the world, Pembrokeshire County Council is at the mercy of European bureaucrats. It wasn't solely down to issues of money, carbon emissions, technology or practicality, but, it would seem, of liability. The response I received included: "...to reduce lighting by the extinguishment of some lanterns would mean that the lower level of residual lighting provided would not comply with any design standard. This action has not, therefore, been recommended to date."

I was also told that in November 2011, members of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny committee resolved that committee members should be given regular updates on the progress and implications of this switch-off scheme.

I happen to be a member of this committee, and so I'd ask anybody within the readership of your newspaper with any views, suggestions or feedback on this scheme to get in touch with me or their local councillor, because unless people come forward, they won't be heard.

Although it hasn't been 'recommended to date,' I don't think it's been looked in to, and I think it should be. I have no problem with the council vastly reducing street lighting overnight, but in certain areas I think there's got to be a better approach than a blanket cut-out.

Can it be right that the council is in a safer position of liability by providing no lighting, than providing just a little? I don't think it makes sense, and it seems I'm not the only one.

Jacob Williams,

County Councillor,

East Williamston

Electoral Division,