|
More street lights replaced
with modern LED lamps
A further 600 street lights in Wirral
are being replaced with new LED lamps as part of an ongoing programme of work to
modernise and improve the borough's street lighting network.
In the latest phase of work, which begins this week, 280 lighting columns will
also be replaced as Wirral Council continues to make further significant
investment in its highways infrastructure.
Jones Lighting Ltd have been awarded the contract to carry out this work from
now until the end of December 2017, although subject to confirmation of further
funding, there is scope to extend this contract until March 2018 and replace
even more lanterns and columns with modern LED lighting.
Councillor Stuart Whittingham, Wirral Council Cabinet Member for Highways and
Transport, said:- "I am delighted that the Council has allocated ₤500,000
from its Capital Programme to help us continue our street light replacement
programme and address the current issues we have with broken lighting equipment.
In addition to this investment from our capital budget, we are also going to be
bidding for Salix funding to replace over half of the remaining lighting stock
with LEDs next year. With these significant investments, I am confident that a
number of problem locations with longstanding street lighting faults will be
tackled and that we are now moving towards a modern, energy efficient and more
reliable street lighting network that is fit for the future."
It is widely-known that the Council has had issues with how it manages the
volume of reports about faulty street lights and the backlog of repairs.
However, better arrangements are in place with the contractor to respond to
urgent repairs, while work is also well-advanced to improve how information is
provided to residents once they have logged a street lighting report.
Cllr Whittingham added:- "We are committed to upping our game when it
comes to street lighting, but it is important that when we commit investment to
an issue, we are able to deliver long-lasting improvements. That's why we are
continuing with the replacement programme; LED street lighting technology is
now economical, more energy efficient and longer lasting than old sodium
equivalents."
Further information and a full list of locations where the latest phase of work
will take place can be found on the Council's website.
|
