RESIDENTS in Oswaldtwistle said changes to street lights have left them living in a ‘black-out zone’.

Councillors have received a number of complaints over the changes to street lights from sodium to LED lighting.

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Acorn Avenue and Lord Street are two of the roads which have been affected by the lighting changes.

Lancashire County Council bosses have said they will speak to people to try to address the concerns as they continue with their project for more energy-efficient lighting.

Cllr Judith Addison, who represents the Immanuel ward on Hyndburn Council, said she has concerns about walking in the area at night.

She said: “I’ve had complaints going back quite a while now from a number of residents.

“On my own street the lights have not been replaced but when I turn the corner to walk down Lord Street I feel like I’m entering a black-out zone.

“As an older woman walking alone I feel a bit wary now that Lord Street is so dimly lit.”

The councillor said she has been contacted by a pensioner, who has lived in Acorn Avenue for 42 years, who said he found the changes ‘unsatisfactory’.

Concerns have also been raised by other residents, who claim the elderly will be negatively affected.

Cllr Peter Britcliffe, who represents the St Andrew’s ward, said: “A colleague of mine fell in a dark area of Trinity Street in Oswaldtwistle last week because they weren’t able to see the pavement. It’s dangerous. The question we need to be asking is can some brighter lights be installed or the new lights made brighter to make residents feel safer.”

In 2015 the county council put in a bid to the Department of Transport for funding to upgrade street lighting across Lancashire.

Highways manager Martin Dunwell said: “We’ll speak to residents on Lord Street and Acorn Avenue to see if there’s anything we can do.

“The lights have been installed as part of a county-wide scheme to replace the old street lights with energy-efficient LED ones.

“We’re almost two years in to this three-year programme. When it’s complete, these more energy efficient lights will reduce the county council’s electricity bill by around £3m.”