Labour council to dim street lights in bid to cut costs - after splurging £25m on climate initiatives to meet Net Zero ambitions
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A Labour-run council is set to dim streetlights in a desperate bid to cut costs after splurging £25million on climate change schemes which have left locals outraged. Debt-riddled Lambeth Council, in south London, has unveiled the move as part of a plan to drive down energy bills in an attempt to save £70million.
![[However, the news comes after the debt-riddled Labour-run council splashed out £25million on climate change projects - like sustainable urban drainage (pictured)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/12/93267663-14204891-image-a-2_1734525478688.jpg)
The authority said 'years of austerity' have forced it to look at ways to slash spending, which will now see it turning down the lighting 'mostly during the middle of the night'. The council, which was the first in London to declare a 'climate change emergency', is £936million in debt and is paying out £10million a year in interest alone.
![[Lambert Council says it needs to save £70million following 'years of austerity' which have left it in debt]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/12/93267661-14204891-image-a-3_1734525481980.jpg)
However, Lambeth employs some 40 people whose salary tops £100,000, reports The Times. And in recent years, it has splashed out huge sums on costly climate change schemes as part of its lofty ambition to reach net zero by 2030 - 20 years before the national target.
However, government data has painted a grim picture of how Lambeth is run, showing the authority is one of the least effective councils when it comes to delivering basic services like housing and adult social care. Meanwhile, despite struggling in some areas, the council has continued to pump in cash to fund green initiatives like rain gardens, and low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) which are hated by locals.
Lambeth Council will be dimming its street lights at night in a bid to save cash (pictured is a scene of Lambeth Bridge at night). However, the news comes after the debt-riddled Labour-run council splashed out £25million on climate change projects - like sustainable urban drainage (pictured).
