Plan to look at software to turn down new street lights across Doncaster

The council has replaced 47,000 units across the borough over the last few years through a £13 million loan.

The news comes after councillors criticised the scheme after over 3,000 units were ordered that the council didn't need, blamed on 'poor management'.

A report seen by members revealed the mistake could cost the council £700,000 but officers were keen to stress this figure was now nearer £50,000

At an audit meeting on Thursday, Norton and Askern Coun Iris Beech, asked if the lights could be turned down to save cash.

Bosses said work was to be carried out in the next 12 months which could see lights dimmed during certain times of the night and even

She said: "If I stand in my front room bay window, I can see 14 lights and a lot of them are much brighter than they need to be.

"Could some of them be turned down? They are rather bright. Could there be further savings?"

Dave Wilkinson, assistant director of trading and support services, said: "The first priority was to install the lights but the next piece of work we'll be undertaking is looking at those light levels and a piece of software which we will be able to analyse that.

"Over the next 12 months, we'll be refining lighting levels.

"It is intelligent lighting so it will automatically dim at say midnight when there's less people around and it can also be turned up if there's an emergency in the area such as a road traffic collision, the lighting can be turned up to aid emergency services."