Green light for new lights (From Warrington Guardian)

Green light for new lights

8:20am Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News

Clr Linda Dirir

COUNCIL bosses have announced they will borrow money to replace 22,000 street lights in the town.

The executive board approved the work at its meeting on Monday which will see £34million be spent on replacing the lights over the next three years with energy-efficient LEDs.

Clr Linda Dirir, the council's executive board member for transport and climate change said: "This extensive replacement programme will reduce ongoing maintenance costs in the future while 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.”

Council bosses say at present two thirds of Warrington's annual £2.2 million street lighting budget is spent on energy and this cost is forecast to continue to rise in the future.

More than one third of the 27,500 lights in the borough are more than 40 years old. Some 17,000 street lights are currently in need of replacement, 10,000 of which are high priority.