STREET lights between junction 10 and 14 of the M65 are to be switched off between midnight and 5am to save money.

Lancashire County Council, which is responsible for that stretch of the M65, estimate they will save £10,000 a year by switching the lights off between the Burnley and Colne junctions.

The move comes after the Highways Agency, which is responsible for the rest of the motorway, turned the lights off completely between junction seven and 10 earlier this year.

Highways bosses at County Hall considered switching the lights off completely, or for a longer period of time, but decided against it due to safety concerns.

Keith Postlethwaite, of Lancashire County Council, said: “In order to consider this matter further, a safety audit study of the M65 section junction 10 to 14 was undertaken.

"It suggested permanently turning off all the main route street lights may actually increase the level of accidents, especially at peak-time flows.

"The reason why this view is at variance with that of the Highways Agency in respect of the M65 is because the section junction 10 to 14 is only a dual carriageway rather than three lanes.

“Also, the route acts as a major distributor to the adjacent towns of Burnley, Nelson and Colne which promotes many short commuting journeys between junctions.

“As a result, the safety audit recommends that the lights should remain on over the peak evening flow.

"Also it asks that consideration be given to the lighting still coming on at 5am giving lighting until dawn.

“It is therefore considered that with regards the M65, option c involving the switch off period from midnight to 5am, and lighting being on for a reasonable length of time during both evening and morning would be the best balance between providing safe lighting regime but some savings.”