THE lights on the M65 are set to be turned off in a controversial cost-saving measure.

Lancashire County Council bosses have put forward the move in a bid to save £65,000 a year and said it would reduce carbon emissions by 300 tonnes.

But opponents said the ‘ridiculous’ move would put lives at risk.

A report presented to councillors yesterday admitted there was a "risk of increase in accident numbers" if the move gets the go ahead.

But council bosses insist switching the lights off would make ‘no difference’.

County councillor Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for sustainable development, said all lights apart from at slip roads and junctions could be switched off at all times.

He said: "We did have a debate about this and have had a good look at the M65.

"Eighty per cent of accidents happen in daylight hours.

"Sections of the M6, M61 and M62 are already unlit and there is also no correlation between accident rates in unlit and lit areas.

"We would not only save money but we would save carbon dioxide if we allowed the lights on the M65 to go off."

He insisted it was early days and nothing had been decided.

The plans have been put forward as part of "service reductions" for next year's county council budget that would deliver a council tax rise of 3.45per cent.

The leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council, David Whipp, said: "It's incredible.

"After all the problems we have had on the M65 this will make drivers very nervous."

Coun Gordon Birtwistle, Burnley Council leader, said: "There have been more accidents on the M65 than there have been anywhere else in Lancashire.

"They are certainly going to put people's lives at risk. If they want to make savings then they should get rid of that exclusive canteen for county councillors at County Hall.

"They shouldn't be switching off any lights and should be looking elsewhere to make these savings."

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "The county council should not be putting a price on people’s safety which they are doing by trying to save money in this way.

"This proposal is very disturbing and doesn't seem sensible to me at all.

"These lights have been put there becaise a lit motorway is a safe motorway so if you turn them off it makes it more dangerous.

"There might be a case for turning every one in two off but this is ridiculous."

The M65 is the only motorway in the country that still falls under the responsibility of a council. All the others are maintained by the Highways Agency.

Other potentially controversial proposals on the list, which will now be put out to consultation until February, include a reduction in the frequency of street light inspections, which could save £100,000.

More cuts to bus services have also been put forward, with the least-used routes facing the chop.

The final budget, which will be in place from next April, also looks set to include efficiency savings of £13million.