A call for a referendum on the Essex streetlight switch-off has been rejected.
The Liberal Democrat group proposed a motion that would have allowed a referendum in individual areas and boroughs, with Essex County Council funding the poll if it was backed by a local council, as well as the electricity costs involved in such an exercise.
Labour also proposed that lights were switched back on until a full consultation had been carried out – but both motions fell when they were voted down by the Conservative administration.
Liberal Democrat councillor David Kendall told the meeting: "I accept that prior to the part-night lighting scheme being introduced, residents did have some say on where certain lights should be left on.
"However there has never been any formal consultation on switching off the lights.
"Residents were just told it was happening.
"If this council really does believe in democratic accountability and localism then it should give those areas that want it the opportunity to hold a referendum on this issue," he continued.
Cllr Rodney Bass, the county councillor for highways who implemented the policy, said that he thought the Liberal Democrats were "flogging a dead horse" about the issue, which has been settled.
