The council has U-turned on its decision to switch off streetlights in a city suburb after a backlash from people living in the area.

Norfolk County Council will now turn off the lights in Dussindale Drive from midnight to 5am.

It originally planned to switch off the lights permanently as part of its £46m project to save money around Norfolk.

The decision to keep the lights on for longer came after councillors and locals contacted this newspaper about the backlash.

Streetlights along Dussindale Drive were permanently switched off by the council two weeks agoStreetlights along Dussindale Drive were permanently switched off by the council two weeks ago (Image: Google Maps)

A spokeswoman for Norfolk County Council said: "Following feedback, a review of the recent streetlight switch off for Dussindale has taken place.

"A decision has been made to carry out a 'part-night lighting trial' for the section of Dussindale Drive between between Fiennes Road and Plumstead Road East.

"This trial would affect 19 columns along Dussindale Drive and means the lights will be switched off from midnight to 5am every day.

"The results of the trial will be monitored and evaluated in conjunction with the current switch-off project to help inform our future lighting strategy."

The streetlights were switched off between South Hill Road and Green Lane NorthThe streetlights were switched off between South Hill Road and Green Lane North (Image: Norfolk County Council)

County councillor for Thorpe St Andrew, Ian Mackie, helped voice neighbours' concerns - who slammed the plans as "irresponsible and disgraceful" and praised the turnaround.

He said: "I'm delighted because this is a victory for common sense.

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"The feedback I received from residents was all totally opposed to losing their streetlights.

Thorpe St Andrew county councillor, Ian Mackie, said part-night lighting is a good compromise and a great outcomeThorpe St Andrew county councillor, Ian Mackie, said part-night lighting is a good compromise and a great outcome (Image: Ian Mackie)

"People didn't feel safe and it wasn't appropriate along a cycle path, main estate road and bus route.

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"I worked very quickly to get this situation reviewed which was undertaken by officials.

"Part-night lighting is a good compromise and a great outcome and I've already had more than 150 Dussindale locals indicating they support this new approach."

The lights along Dussindale were part of the council's plan, in February, to turn off 1,000 lights around Norfolk.

Norfolk County Council said it reviewed the streetlight switch off following the feedbackNorfolk County Council said it reviewed the streetlight switch off following the feedback (Image: Newsquest)