IN response to Mr Hughes’ comments about the street lights (Letters, May 17), I cannot accept that the Borough of Poole have acted with any secrecy or subterfuge.

There is a growing will, locally and nationally, to reduce the amount of street lighting in residential roads during the times when most people are at least at home – between midnight and 6am. All residents in roads initially selected have been individually contacted and invited to say whether or not they would like their road to be included in a nine-month trial.

Only roads that the majority of residents want the lights switched off will be included in the trial. To not publicise all roads listed was a decision taken on the advice of the police; not because of any real threat of crime, but based on people’s perceived fear of crime.

I fail to see what interest there should be for a resident in Broadstone, for example, to know what streets in Penn Hill will be affected, and it would be irresponsible for Poole Council to add to any person’s anxiety, however unwarranted.

CLLR XENA DION, Portfolio holder, environment and transportation, Borough of Poole