RESIDENTS across Comet country were affected by problems with streetlights last night (Thursday), with some areas being plunged into darkness early.

Although lights are meant to be switched off between midnight and 6am under the county council’s part night lighting scheme, many were off a few hours earlier last night.

Streetlights in North Herts and Stevenage roads were among those affected, with residents reporting problems in Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock.

Although Ringway is currently responsible for street lighting, the issue lies with former contractor Amey Lafarge.

The county council has released a statement, claiming it is taking “urgent action”.

It said: “Hertfordshire County Council is taking urgent action to identify why a number of streetlights converted to part-night lighting did not come on last night (Thursday 21 March).

“We were anticipating a small number of possible faults around the spring clock change at the end of March following a similar problem last year which was caused by a manufacturing fault in a photocell.

“A major programme of remedial works was carried out at no cost to the county council and extensive testing appeared to show the problem had been resolved.

“We are working with our then contractors, Amey Lafarge, to understand the latest problem and to take whatever action is necessary to put it right.

“Thanks to everyone who has reported faulty streetlights on our new highways fault reporting system. We hope to resolve this problem shortly but if any issues continue into next week please report these, or any other highways faults online at www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults.”

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