A local authority is telling the Department of Infrastructure it doesn't want to give up the right to control street lighting.

Douglas borough councillors say they were surprised to find a provision in the Road Traffic and Highways (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which would transfer certain responsibilities to central government.

Chairman of the council's Public Works Committee David Ashford says he and his colleagues don't want that to happen, and that message is being sent loud and clear in their response to a public consultation.

He believes the proposal may have been included because of difficulties experienced by government in the past: