Havering Council’s cabinet has approved 6,000 new street lights across the borough in an attempt to slash electricity bills.

The changes, approved on Wednesday night at the town hall, in Romford, will see 30 per cent of its residential lights changed to LED light bulbs, which the council hopes will save £154,000 a year.

The new white lights will be directed downwards and will make it easier to distinguish objects and colours compared to the current orange lights.

The plans are due to be rolled out in January and the council said it hoped to save a further £59,000 in maintenance.

The estimated cost of the project is £1.3m, which will partly come from: an interest-free loan through the Salix Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme, a programme organised by the Department of Energy and Climate Change; capital budgets; and Transport for London Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funding.

The council currently maintains about 18,000 street lights across Havering and spends £650,000 a year on electricity for street lighting.

Cllr Barry Tebbutt, cabinet member for environment, said: “Like most people, we’re always looking for ways to save money, slash costs and give hard working residents the best deal.

“So I’m pleased that our plans to switch 6,000 of our old street lights from energy-sucking lamps to efficient LED bulbs have been approved.

“As we all make smarter choices to get the best value on our household bills its only right that we lead from the front and this decision is a step in the right direction.”