Councillors raised safety concerns at the Infrastructure and Development Select Committee on 10 September about street lighting that has been switched off near Hardwick Trading Estate in King's Lynn, warning the darkness could put off people walking and cycling in the area.

Officers told the committee that lights had been carefully selected for switch-off to cut energy costs, and only after a review confirmed the locations were low risk. A one-year trial followed by data analysis had found no adverse effects at the sites.

However, members were not satisfied that the process had fully accounted for the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. The committee voted to recommend that Cabinet reviews all areas where street lighting has been switched off, specifically taking into account impacts on safety and active travel.

A separate concern was raised about Cromer Road in North Walsham, where lighting has also been turned off. A councillor pointed out that a planning application for a hotel in the area could mean the location now meets the council's own criteria for street lighting to be provided. Officers agreed to look into the matter.

The committee also criticised how past switch-offs had been communicated to local communities. Members said residents and local councillors had been unaware of a 12-month trial in their area, despite officers confirming that a countywide consultation had taken place and that the relevant local member and parish council had been notified. The committee called for future consultations to be community-based, so that people directly affected by proposed changes are properly involved.

Norfolk County Council currently operates around 20,000 part-night lighting streetlights — a scheme first introduced in 2009. Officers noted that changing the times at which individual lights switch on and off is technically complex, as many units would need to be adjusted one by one depending on their control systems.