Liberal Democrats at County Hall have taken steps to try and stop street lights being switched off. The Conservative decision to permanently switch off street lights across Essex will be based on a pilot scheme, due to run in Uttlesford, that the Liberal Democrats say is flawed. Essex County Council Liberal Democrats leader Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes said:

"There are areas in Essex that would provide the council with the accurate information it needs to be able to make an informed decision to turn off street lights permanently in the county. Uttlesford is not one of them.

Dark streets at night are likely to have a negative impact on areas like Basildon, Chelmsford, Colchester and Harlow that have a thriving night-time economy. The countless small and medium-sized local businesses operating during the evening rely on their customers feeling they can travel home safely late at night, and we know that street lighting is a significant factor in people feeling safe.

We have already raised this point with Cllr Bass, the Conservative cabinet member for highways, but we did not receive an answer so we are disappointed to have to raise it again. However, I'm sure that the residents in Essex will want an explanation."