Leeds street lighting bill rises by 40pc

The bill has escalated from £3.1m to £5.1m since 2006 passing doubt on claims that replacing the city’s lamp posts would save money.

More than £94m has been spent by council bosses replacing 80,263 lights since 2006.

Coun Barry Anderson, shadow executive board for environmental services, said: “It does seem that the cost of street lighting is getting too high.”

However, a spokeswoman for Leeds City Council, said: “We are affected by rising energy prices just like everyone else in the country”.

She said that the council were looking to turn off some street lights during the night in a bid to save around £100,000 a year.