A controversial move to switch off street lights at night to save money has been dramatically postponed hours before it was due to come into effect.

Lights in residential streets across Epping Forest were due to be switched off for the first time last night at midnight for five hours.

But a formal appeal by Cllr Chris Pond for the launch to be postponed was yesterday accepted by Essex County Council’s cabinet member for highways, Rodney Bass, and the switch-off is now scheduled for January 2.

Cllr Pond raised concerns about the safety of residents in darkened streets.

Lights on bus routes will also now be turned off at 1am rather than midnight following a request from Transport for London.

Cllr Pond said: “This is a stay of execution for us. We haven’t prevented the switch off but it is a positive move.”