Bright future for Telford’s street lights
More than 20,000 street lights have been replaced with energy-efficient LEDs as part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s Pride in Our Community improvement programme.
In just two years, the Council has upgraded street lights across the borough as well as around 1,500 illuminated signs and bollards.
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.
Since introducing the new LEDs, the Council has reduced the borough’s carbon footprint, with Co2 emissions down 58% when comparing April to January 2016/17 to the same period in 2018/19. The predicted saving for taxpayers is also on target to achieve £420,000 annually.
Cllr Hilda Rhodes, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for transport, roads and broadband, said: “This ambitious project has been a big investment and we are already reaping the rewards. LEDs are better for the environment, have lower running costs and are cheaper to maintain.
“The lights are designed to direct light down to where people need it and minimise light pollution. Feedback from residents has been encouraged and has been very positive overall. Where there have been issues, our contractors have worked with residents to address their concerns. The crews have also worked really hard to keep disruption to residents to a minimum, and so our thanks go out to them.”
Feedback from residents has included:
“Amazing!!! Love the new lighting as this is a walkway to the woods, will be much safer.”
“Improvement on the older lights. Shines more on the pavement and the road this time, before the light use to shine more into the house and if it saves money more the better.”
“Fantastic, no more yellow light coming through the bedroom window, many thanks.”
“Low energy lighting is the way to go, any thing that keeps pollutions and costs down is good.”
Around 500 less straightforward street lights are yet to be upgraded. These include street lights that need a new column, have non-standard lanterns or where there are issues around accessibility. These street lights will be completed by the end of the summer.
More information about the Pride in Our Community programme and street lights scheme here. If anyone has a query about street lighting, email streetlighting@telford.gov.uk.
