Residents who have been plunged into darkness at night are not happy about the new street lighting arrangements across Trowbridge.

A decision to switch off the lights in parts of the town between midnight and 5.30am came into effect three weeks ago, in a bid for Wiltshire Council to save money and reduce its carbon footprint.

Ian Ford, 55, has lived on the Broadmead estate for 30 years and runs a garage in the area. He said: “Our particular road is a cul-de-sac. In terms of security it is easy pickings for anybody.

“I understand they need to save money. Why can’t they turn off every two to three lights so the whole road has some light down it?”

Clifford Moye, a lorry driver from Studley Green, said: “We first thought it was a power cut.

“I have lived here for 20 years. It has always been a bit anti-social but with the dark nights, I am concerned it will increase.

Retired Tony and Valerie Barber live in Baydon Close, off Wiltshire Drive.

Mr Barber said: “Making savings by switching off the lighting in residential area is a bad move. The lights in Bradley Road as far as I know have not been affected. Why don’t they turn off some of the lights there?” Mrs Barber added: “The first three lights in Wiltshire Drive are on but this part isn’t lit and it is pitch black at night.”

Nigel Urch, of Wiltshire Drive, said it was now too dark to park his car in his garage down the road when the street lights had gone out.

He said: “A neighbour had his wing mirror knocked off on Friday and Saturday night.

“If you drive through Trowbridge there are a lot of people about. These routes will now be totally black. At that time of morning there could be drunk drivers. Someone is going to get killed.”

Wiltshire and Trowbridge Councillor Graham Payne said: “We have had a lot of complaints about the street lights going out.

The vast majority of people that have complained to me have concerns about the possible increase in crime levels such as burglary and car damage.”

A council spokesman said: “We have received feedback from people pleased to see the changes, while others have shared their concerns. Where there are safety issues we have put lights back on. There will also be a full review in six months’ time.”