STRETCHES of some of the town’s busiest roads will be plunged into darkness for a year from this weekend in a bid to save cash.

A total of 433 street lights along some major roads will be switched off in an attempt to save Swindon Council £20,000 to bung its budget black hole.

But the council has been keen to stress that none of the lights are on roads where there is a pedestrian footpath or cycle path, and none are on urban roads with a speed limit of less than 40mph.

At present energy prices, the scheme has the potential to save more than £20,000 a year from the council’s annual streetlighting electricity bill of £600,000, and will also reduce the council’s carbon emissions.

On the stretches where the lights will be turned off, the junctions and roundabouts will continue to be lit.

Peter Greenhalgh, cabinet member for Transformation, Strategic Planning, Sustain-ability and Transport said: “Energy costs are only going to rise over time, and we are among many councils trialling this idea.”

Mr Greenhalgh, who is the councillor for Freshbrook and Grange Park, added: “Swindon is not going to be plunged into darkness – most roads will be unaffected.

“On those that are, we’ve been very careful to make sure the roads where the lights are being switched off don’t have footpaths or cycleways and carry motorised traffic only. None are estate roads.

“It is a trial, so if we find we need to put some lights back on we can do so easily. We’re just taking the fuses out – we’re not disconnecting or removing the columns at this stage.”

The lights involved in the trial represent two per cent of the 26,000 lighting columns in Swindon.

Ward councillors and businesses in the areas where the trial is being conducted have been consulted.