Huntingdon Town Council has agreed to fund the replacement of four street lights in the town that were taken out following a county-wide review.

Contractors acting on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council removed street lights in Norfolk Road, Grasmere, Wertheim Way, and Coronation Avenue in 2015 following a money-saving review of lights across the county.

The move left many residents dismayed, with fears raised over increased crime in the area in the absence of the lights.

On October 26, however, the town council’s finance committee agreed to spend more than £6,000 replacing the four lights.

Councillor Patrick Kadewere, chairman of the committee, said: “It was great to see the smiling faces of the local residents who attended the committee meeting and saw us agree to put the lampposts back.

“Contractors Balfour Beatty reviewed the lighting in the area and proposed four new lantern-type street lights on six-metre columns. They will be linked to the power supply by ducts in trenches and the ground surface will be made good.

“The total costs of the four lamps will amount to £6,600 – money very well spent to stop people stumbling in the dark.”

As part of its county-wide review, the county council removed thousands of street lights across Cambridgeshire, replacing some and upgrading others. The move proved controversial, however, with some areas left in the dark after lights were removed and not replaced.

Speaking to The Hunts Post at the time, Huntingdon resident Amanda Whitlock said: “It made me and other members of my family and friends visiting feel very vulnerable when parking or leaving late at night due to the area being very dark.”

And elderly residents living in Norfolk Road said they had become fearful of leaving their homes because of the poor lighting.

Carol Hansell said: “My neighbour is in his eighties and will be unable to leave his home easily. I’m unable to see my path and door to put my key in on returning home.”