County switches to green street lights

The Treasury has approved a South Coast Street Lighting Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project, paving the way for upgrades in West Sussex and Hampshire.

The three councils involved '“ West Sussex and Hampshire County Councils and Southampton City Council can now move on to the next stage of the process, involving talks with six bidders which have already expressed an interest in the scheme, before selecting a preferred contractor.

"In West Sussex, it will mean the replacement over five years of more than 80 per cent of the current stock of 64,000 street lights with the most modern and energy-efficient ones available," said a county council spokesman.

"The project will improve road safety, help cut crime, and mean less light pollution and improve the environment.

"The initiative will also involve the replacement of many illuminated signs, and bollards."

The replacement programme was currently scheduled to start in late 2009.

The contract would bring new investment of more than 200m across the three local authority areas, but excluding Portsmouth, in Hampshire.

It would last for 25 years, during which time the successful bidder would also be responsible for maintenance of the columns. The three authorities were expecting a quick response to faults reported by residents.

County cabinet member for highways and transport Cllr Tex Pemberton said it was a massive investment across a very wide area, and PFI was the only affordable way for the three councils to carry out this necessary work in a timely and cost-effective manner.

"There are many advantages to this programme of stock replacement," he added. "Energy will be used much more efficiently in the new columns, and they'll utilise white light rather than the familiar orange glow.

Light will also be directed down on to footways and roads, meaning less light pollution in the night sky.

"These factors will also help reduce crime and fear of crime, meet with approval from the region's astronomers, help to stimulate the night-time economy and reassure the elderly.

"As the PFI progresses, we'll also be looking into elements such as part night light '“ lights being switched off after a set time '“ or dimmable lights in certain areas. We'll be working with local communities to find out their preferences.

"Some street lights, especially in rural areas, belong to parish, town and district and borough councils. The county council has invited them to join in this investment project."

The total street lighting stock covered by the PFI is about 250,000 items, including illuminated signs and bollards. Not all areas will have their lighting replaced. Locations that are unlit at present will remain so, and areas that already have adequate or recently upgraded street lighting will not have columns replaced under this PFI.