Councillors fear the borough is going to be "plunged into darkness" if the council axes street light grants in rural areas.

Proposals to halve the current grant for the next two years and then completely abolish it were included in Swale's draft budget.

Julien Speed, chairman of Lynsted with Kingsdown parish council, said: “This would be a disaster for road safety in our local villages.

“We are responsible for the running and maintenance of most of the street lights in our parish.

“At the same time as the price of electricity is rocketing, Swale Council wants to slash our grant.

“This year, street lights will account for 47% of our limited budget.

"In addition to regular maintenance, tree pruning and electricity costs, we have had to fund numerous repairs - mainly as a result of vandalism.

“Without the grant from Swale Council, we may have no alternative but to switch off all the lights.

"It is not technically possible to turn off some but not others - it’s all or nothing.

“Plunging the parish into darkness would have a serious impact on the safety of residents - particularly on the sections of road where there is no footpath for pedestrians."

This isn't the first time Swale council has suggested the proposals. The idea was also floated last December before the council’s rainbow coalition performed a U-turn.

At the time Cllr Mike Whiting (Con), for Teynham and Lynsted, said it would have meant rural taxpayers being double-taxed, as they already contribute to urban lighting as part of the borough council’s precept.

The change would have meant they would also be charged for their parish lighting.

Speaking on the latest proposals he said: “The rainbow coalition at Swale attempted to remove this vital grant last year, but the proposal was voted down.

“I did not favour withdrawing it then, and I do not support it now.

“I trust that councillors will again agree to preserve this important funding for rural locations."

Swale council confirmed this option is being discussed in the draft budget proposal that is currently out for public consultation. You can view the draft budget and have your say here.

A spokesman said: “We’re currently consulting on our budget for 2023/24 and have put together a range of draft proposals we want to hear people’s thoughts about.

“These have been put together as a response to the hugely increased costs we’re facing, along with the pressures of more and more people coming to us for support with essential things like housing and the cost of living crisis.

“It’s no secret that the income we receive from the revenue support grant from central government has fallen from £4.1 million in 2014/15 to £120,000 this year, so we’ve got to make some tough choices to try to balance the books.

“We know our services make a real difference which is why we want to invest in improving things like our waste and street cleaning services and keep working hard on those issues that are important to local people.

“To pay for these means less funding on other services, which is why it’s vital we hear from as many people as possible about these proposals.”

The consultation on the draft budget will close on Friday, January 13.