On January 20 2011, when I was parish councillor for St Mary’s ward in Loughton, your newspaper printed my letter on the subject of the switching off of street lights at night.

I agree with most people that the lights should not be switched off before 45 minutes after the last train or bus, for the safety of commuters.

Also, in the dark, drivers can’t see pedestrians, potholes, bollards, deer or foxes and as taxi driver Raymond Horan said in last week’s Guardian, roads with no pavements would be a death trap.

Pub and restaurant staff are put in danger and parents are worrying about the safety of their children, teenagers and family.

The money saved, if any at all, would soon disappear in injury or death compensation.

Lucette Howe, Sparleaze Hill, Loughton.