Eynesbury and Little Paxton residents have complained after their “perfectly serviceable street lamps” were replaced with lampposts almost double the height.

They are also concerned that the new white lamps – replacing the traditional amber lights – do not provide the same level of illumination.

Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty, which is carrying out a lights replacement contract on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council, said the taller columns provide “maximum efficiency” on roads which carry more than 12,000 vehicles a day.

But residents dispute the claims the roads carry more than 12,000 vehicles a day.

Simon Harper, of Berkley Street, Eynesbury, said: “The new fitting is huge and looks completely out of place in front of Eynesbury’s church and other listed buildings. Good lighting and safety are important, but so is the built environment and a sense of community.”

While it is too late for a petition, he said he intends to join with other disgruntled residents to lobby CCC.

Matthew Barnaby, of Montagu Street, Eynesbury, added: “The lighting being put in place is of a ridiculous height which will illuminate my home inside as it is positioned within two feet from my window. It will also cause a risk as the columns are of such a height that, in the instance of a fall, it will impact on one of three homes or the church.”

Brian Boyle, of Little Paxton, wrote to The Hunts Post about the illumination provided by the new lights, stating: “In Little Paxton it is already noticeable that roads and footpaths are less well illuminated, with the uneven paving offering greater hazards to the elderly and less mobile.”

A Balfour Beatty spokesman said: “The process of upgrading the street lights in Eynesbury and Little Paxton is part of Cambridgeshire County Council’s programme to bring the county’s street lighting units up to modern standards within five years and to reduce energy consumption by 8.5million kilowatt-hours per year.

“Both of these areas are busy B class traffic routes, used by more than 12,000 vehicles a day and there are national guidelines in place which stipulate the lighting level requirements for such roads for safety reasons. Therefore, the lighting columns are taller to provide maximum efficiency using the least amount of columns possible to reduce energy consumption, whilst still meeting the required standard.”