A TOWN council hopes to keep the lights switched on along a busy road after unitary authority counterparts decided to remove them.

Durham County Council plans to remove street lights on stretches of the A167 from Newton Aycliffe to the Cock 'o' the North roundabout, near Durham City, in late summer or early autumn.

The move follows the county council’s decision last year to reduce lighting in rural areas to cut carbon emissions and save cash.

However, concerns have been raised that it will endanger lives.

Among the critics were members of Great Aycliffe Town Council who branded the decision “ridiculous and intolerable”.

Now its leader, Councillor Bob Fleming, has revealed that the town and county councils have been in talks in an attempt to save the lights between the A1 motorway at Aycliffe Business Park and Rushyford.

Following a cabinet meeting and public consultation, members instructed the town clerk to investigate whether a service level agreement could be obtained.

A deal has now been proposed and will go before the town council’s environment committee on Wednesday, July 1 for consideration.

They will be asked to approve a ten year deal that would see the town council pay the county council the costs of electricity supply and maintenance of about 82 lights.

It would mean paying about £46,000 upfront for the decade or an annual fee, which would cost more overall.

Cllr Fleming said: “It is a lot of money but that road is very busy, a former trunk road and has a well used cycleway and footpath, there have been many accidents, some fatal, over the years.

“There are many groups throughout the town that expressed concerns about the possible removal of lights so we have worked on this proposal which will be put before the environment committee.

“I believe the people of Newton Aycliffe really want to keep the lights on for safety reasons and we have the power to do something about it.

“I am optimistic that the street lights on the A167 within our parish boundaries will stay on for the next ten years.”

Other communities along the road also voiced concerns including Ferryhill and Chilton where residents are worried the loss of light will endanger children walking to school and Chilton Skate Park in the winter and could lead to an increase in road collisions.

However, an independent risk assessment concluded the removal of lights would not impact on public safety.

Durham County Council is expected to comment next week.