FOR heavens sake, literally! In Littlebury we have the benefit of the beauty of the night sky. Essex County Council (ECC) had a good idea to reduce energy consumption, fractionally perhaps, by turning off unnecessary street lighting from midnight to 5am,

FOR heavens sake, literally! In Littlebury we have the benefit of the beauty of the night sky.

Essex County Council (ECC) had a good idea to reduce energy consumption, fractionally perhaps, by turning off unnecessary street lighting from midnight to 5am, in certain areas of Uttlesford and Maldon.

Others would benefit from seeing the moon and the stars again, as we do.

Now my fellow councillors are stalling for time in the name of consultation.

Having convinced everyone of the inevitable upsurge in rape, pillage, mayhem and murder, apparently a consequence of turning off some of these lights, you will now be asked whether you think it is a good idea.

In view of the scare tactics you'll possibly decide against?

Believe me, this is politics at its most reprehensible. Far easier to agree the pilot of this scheme and review it in one year, than spend more energy on chatting about the unknown consequences.

On another environmental note, an idea to have all children bussed to school, based on the pilot scheme, MyBus, being delivered so successfully in Yorkshire, is being put to my fellow councillors by Lizzie Sanders of Littlebury Parish Council and I.

We aim to involve all councillors and others, in an attempt to persuade ECC that this scheme could be of enormous benefit, by making a presentation to the area panel in November.

Yes, consultation is being deployed before we make any recommendation, as this involves a great many interested parties.

Cllr Rodney Bass, of ECC, chose to make his own decision on lighting and I applaud him for that.

I hope we can convince ECC, in time, that this too is a very good idea.

Cllr Jan Menell

Littlebury Ward