PLANS to switch streetlights off in Brentwood for five hours every night have been pushed back - for a third time.

Essex County Council confirmed the part-time lighting scheme will not happen until Sunday, March 9.

This comes after the proposals were called in for review by Lib Dem county councillors David Kendall and Barry Aspinell.

Originally the project which sees streetlights turned off between 1midnight and 5am each day was due to start on February 10.

However it was moved back to February 17 and then March 2 before the latest date change.

Mr Kendall, councillor for Brentwood South, said: “I actually welcome this delay because it will give councillors, residents and community groups more time to highlight specific roads in Brentwood where they believe the lights should definitely remain on between the hours of 12am and 5am.”

Rodney Bass (Tory), councillor responsible for highways, said: “We are giving due consideration to the consultation responses received from local residents and councillors in addition to the emergency services, regarding the areas which they believe meet the exemption criteria.”

People who wish to comment about the scheme directly to the county council should e-mail partnightlighting@essexhighways.org.