THE COUNTY council will press ahead with plans to install thousands of new LED street lights despite warnings the technology could damage eyes and impact on sleep.

Public Health England issued the warning earlier this week in its chief medical officer's annual report.

Oxfordshire County Council is in the process of a £3.8m scheme to improve 3,200 street lights with higher quality LED lights to save energy and maintenance costs.

The council said it was aware of the report and acknowledged the 'need to balance' potential energy savings and potential health impacts.

A Freedom of Information request revealed that the council had received 25 complaints about the new energy efficient lighting in 2017 - when it installed more than 3,500 new columns and LED lanterns.

It also said it was in the process of installing a further 2,000 units across the county and intended to replace all its street lights in the future.

The council's street light programme saw 35 streets fitted with the new technology in February alone.

Council spokesman Paul Smith said the warnings related to 5000k lights with high levels of blue light and that the council was using different lights for residential areas and main roads.

He said: "LED lighting is being installed all over England - this is not purely an Oxfordshire issue.

"Since the county council started implementing LED lighting it has acknowledged the need to balance potential savings in energy use and potential health impacts and as such has specified a warmer light for residential areas - 3000k - and slightly bluer light - 4000k - for the wider strategic road network."

But he said the council recognised some were more sensitive to such lighting than others and that modifications have been made and will continue to be made on a case by case basis.

Public Health England's John O'Hagan, said: "Local authorities have been replacing mercury and sodium street lights with LEDs.

"If this is done purely on the basis of energy efficiency and cost, it is possible to end up with installations that may not be fit for purpose.

"Some have LED sources that can be seen physically projecting below the luminaire, becoming a glare source or light pollution.

"The light spectrum may be enriched in the blue, which may be beneficial for keeping drivers alert, but many people will find the light uncomfortable. High levels of blue light are known to cause damage to the retina."

A Local Government Association spokesman said: "Councils have switched to LED street lights to help the environment and manage funding pressures.

"Both natural and artificial light has the potential to damage the eye - it's best to avoid looking at any light source directly for any length of time."