A new funding bid could see Bradford's 30,000 ageing street lights replaced within years - instead of centuries.

Bradford Council is preparing to pitch for up to £60 million of Government cash - but residents will need to give their approval through neighbourhood forums.

In July, the Telegraph & Argus revealed that only 250 new lampposts were being erected each year instead of the 1,000 needed to reverse the trend of decay. Street light replacement has been neglected by authorities across the country for the past 30 years. Now, instead of funding replacement lights, the Government wants councils to give the job to contractors.

The Council will be asking residents if they think a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) should be used to replace to carry out the work.

The Government is now inviting PFI bids which could see a private company design, build, financing and run of all of the Council's 50,000 street lights in a partnership with it.

A bid must go in to Government by February 24 and, if successful, the 25 year contract with a private company would be in place for 2009.

But Labour group deputy leader Councillor Dave Green (Lab, Wibsey) said other contracts have proved troublesome for the authority: "Given the current record of procurement, I think there is real doubt about whether the Council can take on a contract of this size - you just have to look at the Asset Management Project and Bradford-i."

Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) added: "I am surprised that the leader of the Council feels she can expose us to this measure of risk without any discussion with other political groups. Getting us into debt over street lights might not be the biggest issue of the day - I would much rather see the money spent on people."

But Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, (Con, Ilkley) Bradford's Council's executive member for the environment, said other groups can have their say at scrutiny meetings next month: "This is an opportunity to see further investment in the Council's street lighting, which in turn helps to reduce crime and road casualties in the district."

The matter is also to be considered by the Council's environment improvement committee and executive when they meet separately next month.