A £34 million investment programme to improve and update street lighting in the town was approved by Warrington Council’s executive board.
It will see the total replacement of more than 22,000 lighting columns and lanterns over three years with energy-efficient LED’s.
Currently two thirds of the town’s £2.2 million street lighting budget goes on energy and costs are expected to rise.
There are problems with the town’s lighting as 27,500 lights are more than 40 years old – and 17,000 currently needing replacing.
Executive member for transport and climate change Cllr Linda Dirir (pictured) said: “This extensive replacement programme will reduce ongoing maintenance costs in the future whilst paying dividends in terms of reducing our carbon footprint, contributing strongly to road safety, community safety and the prevention of crime which fits neatly with the council’s strategic priorities.
“Energy costs are rising well above inflation for homeowners and businesses alike so this really is a crucial invest to save scheme for the borough.”
The go-ahead to progress to public consultation is expected to be given on March 4 at a full council meeting, when the lighting initiative will also be considered as part of the 2013/14 capital investment programme.
£34m street lighting improvements
22 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
2 Comments
What I find confusing about this topic is that, several years ago, our residents Association invited the Lighting dept. to a meeting where they informed us that there was an annual budget to replace lights that were in a dangerous condition. they did this on a planned system one area at a time. So why all of a sudden is this massive injection needed? have they been spending the street lighting budget elsewhere?
Once again, our elected Councillors have ignored the comments of its residents!!!
We have an election in May and I do hope that these self opinionated Councillors will be punished for their actions. This particular portfolio holder seems to think that we have money to burn and ought to be replaced before she makes any more crass decisions.