New street lights across the borough will be dimmed to help reduce energy costs.

The electrically controlled lamp posts will enable lights to be dimmed between preset times and could save £120,000 over ten years, claim Kingston Council.

This will contribute to the council’s aim to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, which are currently 2,273 tonnes for street lighting.

From 2012 the council will have to pay for every tonne of CO2 it emits.

The new lights, which will be dimmed between midnight and 5am, will be installed as and when the scheduled replacement of existing lamp posts is required.

In 2011 and 2012, 1650 units will be installed.

Where dimming is not considered suitable or it initially receives a negative reaction from stakeholders, it will not be implemented.