Newsroom Archive

Telford & Wrekin Council began the scheme to upgrade all Council-owned street lights to new LEDs as part of its Pride in Our Community programme in May 2017.  As well as street lights, it has upgraded around 1,500 illuminated signs and bollards.

As crews are working their way across the borough, they inspect each column and light.  Street lights in need of a replacement column or further inspection are being picked up later in the programme.
 
This week crews completed the upgrade on the 16,000th street light, which means the scheme is now 80% complete.  All LEDs are on schedule to be completed by April next year.
 
The new LEDs are more reliable, reduce pollution, make it easier for residents to see things at night and use less energy, which saves money.  By April 2019, the Council will have achieved savings for taxpayers of £420,000 per annum.
 
Cllr Hilda Rhodes, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for transport, roads and broadband, was there to see the milestone 16,000th street light upgraded.
 
She said: “This has been an ambitious programme to improve the lighting in our residential areas, major roads and town centres.  Feedback from residents has been really positive, with many saying how much better the quality of light is and how much safer they feel.
 
“People have also praised the work of our contractors who have done their utmost to keep disruption to a minimum.  The added financial and environmental benefits for the borough speak for themselves.”
 
As well as upgrading street lights, the Council’s Pride in Our Community programme is this year investing £7.5m in delivering 340 schemes across the borough, which includes improvements to roads, paths, signage, safety schemes around schools and more residential parking spaces.
 
For more information about the Pride in Our Community programme and street light scheme visit http://www.telford.gov.uk/pride.  If anyone has a query about street lighting, email streetlighting@telford.gov.uk.