SALFORD Priors councillors again faced a public grilling over their decision to switch off half the parish’s footway lights.

Scores of residents went to the village’s memorial hall last Wednesday to make their views known at a special meeting chaired by district councillor Daren Pemberton.

It came after last month’s council meeting ended abruptly when councillors walked out of an intense debate with irate parishioners who were angry at not being consulted on the matter.

Among the issues put to councillors at Wednesday’s meeting were conflicting outcomes of two reports on the condition of the poles – an influencing factor in the switch-off decision.

Residents also questioned the impact of the trial on cutting maintenance and energy costs and why £6,000 applied for in this year’s precept for lighting had not yet been spent. Suggestions were made that the council could consider savings in other services – such as mowing contracts – and look into installing timers to switch lights off at night.

Councillor John Stedman said at the time of making the decision, that the council was only five months into the precept year and the issue of the lights was a “major consideration”.

Councillors said they were also awaiting the results of a third report into the condition of the poles and added that the purpose of the trial was to establish the impact on the parish and the environment.

Acting chairman Marianne Myers said the feedback from the community enabled them to look more deeply into the scheme and added that the council was investigating which lights come under their ownership.

Councillors will consider the feedback at the parish council’s next meeting on Wednesday, December 1, as part of their ongoing review of the trial.

Earlier this month, councillors agreed to switch on two lights outside the primary school and Sandfields on Station Road after safety concerns were raised by residents.

According to members, about 60 e-mails have been received about the trial including 22 against and 26 in support.