Residents in Clackmannan and Tullibody recently branded Clackmannanshire Council’s new LED street lighting programme a “disaster” and said they feel less safe when its dark.

Workers began replacing conventional lamps with energy saving light-emitting diodes (LED) in a £750,000 “spend-to-save” project which is meant to save money while “maintaining safety and the perception of safety on roads and paths”.

But some residents have been complaining in the past month, with one saying the new lights reminded them of “the old gas lamps many years back”.

On Clackmannanshire Council’s Facebook page Laura Caldwell wrote: “When will completion of the first stage of replacing street lighting be so that it can reviewed? I’m all for saving money and helping environment, but I’d also like to feel safe leaving the house at night.

“You can’t even see directly across the street with the new lights. Poor isn’t the word.” Wendy Snaddon added: It’s totally ridiculous and an accident waiting to happen, no longer feel safe outside at nights!” Donald Balsillie,councillor and enterprise and environment convener, told the Advertiser: “The council is aware of the concerns raised by our communities and takes public safety very seriously; officers are currently looking at the issues which residents have brought to their attention with the manufacturer of the lights, with a view to improving the performance of the lights in line with those originally planned and as trialled elsewhere in the county.” In addition he reiterated some information which was sent out in a press release earlier in Decmeber 2014. He said: “Street lighting is important in maintaining safety and the perception of safety on the roads and paths of Clackmannanshire. With electricity costs constantly rising, the council has been looking at innovative ways to reduce costs while maintaining or improving the service provided.” Over the next five years the council is planning to replace most of the existing street lighting as part of a long term plan to cut costs and save money.

Cllr Balsillie added: “The first phase of the project is under way in Clackmannan and Tullibody, and around 90 per cent of the street lights in these two communities will be upgraded by April.

“In common with many other local authorities, the council has begun a project to replace existing street lights with LED lights. The benefits include reducing electricity consumption, reducing expenditure on power by up to 60 per cent and reducing maintenance costs.

“The street lights currently in place use a lot of energy and much of the light is sent out into the sky and peoples’ property rather than onto the roads and footpaths. The new lights should use much less energy and concentrate the light where it is needed.” Residents in Clackmannan and Tullibody recently branded Clackmannanshire Council’s new LED street lighting programme a “disaster” and said they feel less safe when its dark.

Workers began replacing conventional lamps with energy saving light-emitting diodes (LED) in a £750,000 “spend-to-save” project which is meant to save money while “maintaining safety and the perception of safety on roads and paths”.

But some residents have been complaining in the past month, with one saying the new lights reminded them of “the old gas lamps many years back”.

On Clackmannanshire Council’s Facebook page Laura Caldwell wrote: “When will completion of the first stage of replacing street lighting be so that it can reviewed? I’m all for saving money and helping environment, but I’d also like to feel safe leaving the house at night.

“You can’t even see directly across the street with the new lights. Poor isn’t the word.” Wendy Snaddon added: It’s totally ridiculous and an accident waiting to happen, no longer feel safe outside at nights!” Donald Balsillie,councillor and enterprise and environment convener, told the Advertiser: “The council is aware of the concerns raised by our communities and takes public safety very seriously; officers are currently looking at the issues which residents have brought to their attention with the manufacturer of the lights, with a view to improving the performance of the lights in line with those originally planned and as trialled elsewhere in the county.” In addition he reiterated some information which was sent out in a press release earlier in Decmeber 2014. He said: “Street lighting is important in maintaining safety and the perception of safety on the roads and paths of Clackmannanshire. With electricity costs constantly rising, the council has been looking at innovative ways to reduce costs while maintaining or improving the service provided.” Over the next five years the council is planning to replace most of the existing street lighting as part of a long term plan to cut costs and save money.

Cllr Balsillie added: “The first phase of the project is under way in Clackmannan and Tullibody, and around 90 per cent of the street lights in these two communities will be upgraded by April.

“In common with many other local authorities, the council has begun a project to replace existing street lights with LED lights. The benefits include reducing electricity consumption, reducing expenditure on power by up to 60 per cent and reducing maintenance costs.

“The street lights currently in place use a lot of energy and much of the light is sent out into the sky and peoples’ property rather than onto the roads and footpaths. The new lights should use much less energy and concentrate the light where it is needed.”