Ref. 28839-14RESIDENTS of Bolingbroke Road, in Moredon, say about 20 street lights have been on for 24 hours a day during the last six months because of an electrical fault.

Swindon Council says the lights are not costing any extra money because the council is on an unmetered charge.

But resident Suzanne Hancock, who has repeatedly called Swindon Council to get the lights switched off, says it is not just about the cost to council tax payers.

Mrs Hancock, 37, a dinner assistant at Rodbourne Cheney School, said: "It is a waste of money somewhere. There is no need for them to be on all day.

"And even if it is not costing the council any more, what about the waste of energy?

"We are being told to be more environmentally friendly but using electricity must increase pollution.

"I have phoned the council at least six times and I kept getting told it would be sorted out. We are council tax payers so they should be doing what they say they will."

Jean Saunders, spokeswoman for Friends of the Earth in Swindon, said: "On the scale of things this is drop in the ocean but any small waste of electricity needs to be looked at immediately.

"This is a ridiculous waste of energy at a time when climate change has never been more of a potential risk to the future of the planet."

Swindon Council spokesman Gavin Calthrop said: "The lights are on 24 hours day because of an electrical fault that trips out the control panel for the lights.

"The electricity board is aware of the fault but at present it is not serious enough to warrant expensive repair work and often these faults do correct themselves.

"These situations are not unusual and where they occur the council removes the control panels and leaves the lights on full time which, for public safety reasons, is preferable to no lights on at any time of the day or night.

"There is no cost because the council is on an unmetered charge.

"The situation will be reviewed on an ongoing basis."

Bhavani Vadde