When the clocks spring forward next Sunday, streetlights in some parts of Herts could well turn themselves off.

Herts county council has taken the unusual step of warning residents where part-night lighting exists that some streetlights might not turn on as expected in the week before and after Sunday, March 30, when the clocks go forward.

After that, the lights should resume normal part-night operation. The situation only applies to streetlights which operate on a part-night timing schedule and switch off at midnight.

Terry Douris, cabinet member for highways, said: “We continue to work with the contractor – Amey Lafarge – who supplied the part-night streetlight timing devices to get them to resolve this issue.

“We expect Amey Lafarge to fix this soon and at their own expense. We are very disappointed that this hasn’t been resolved by now, despite our persistence.”

He added: “We want to make residents aware of this potential issue so that if you spot that a light hasn’t turned on for one night, you’ll know why.

“I apologise for any inconvenience or concern this may cause.”

Anyone who spots that a streetlight does not operate as expected, is asked to report it on the website at www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults