Wind and solar-powered street lights are being trialled in Stevenage and Weston.

Following trials elsewhere in Hertfordshire, one light has been installed on the cycleway in Jessop Road, Stevenage, and two lights have been installed on the remote footpath in Friars Road, Weston.

Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) hope that the introduction of the new LED units will encourage more people to walk and cycle, especially in the evenings.

The wind and solar lighting units operate with zero energy consumption and zero carbon emissions.

They are silent in operation and worked immediately following their installation on Wednesday, January 11.

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The trials will last for around a year, enabling HCC to analyse how the units perform across all four seasons.

Phil Bibby, HCC's executive member for highways and transport, said: "I’m delighted that both Stevenage and Hitchin are trialling new wind and solar street lighting.

"It’s a further indication of our commitment to the Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy and Action Plan, specifically to be carbon neutral in our own operations by 2030 and a net zero greenhouse gas county by 2050.

“Creating a cleaner and greener environment which supports sustainable, responsible growth, are two of our key priorities which we are focused on delivering.”