AN investigation has been launched after street lights under a controversial money-saving part-time lighting scheme went off at 7pm on Monday.
The lights should go off from midnight to 6am as part of the cost cutting initiative by Herts County Council.
But much of the county was plunged into darkness when the lamposts went off five hours earlier than expected.
UK Power Networks has confirmed there were no problems with power supply.
Earlier this year street lights across Dacorum were fitted with gadgets, costing the council £4.5 million to install across the county, that switch the lights off early.
Councillor Stuart Pile, who oversees highways and transport, said: “In certain areas there appears to have been an issue with the part-night street lighting on Monday night resulting in some lights being switched off early.
“Engineers are working closely with the manufacturer to investigate and correct the problem.”
Spokesman for the council Simon Hoggett said engineers will be out in force on Tuesday night to see if it happens again. “It may just be a blip ,” he said.