Home Local News Knowsley completes multi-million pound street lighting replacement programme

Knowsley completes multi-million pound street lighting replacement programme

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Knowsley Council’s contractor SSE (SSEC), has successfully completed the four year, multi-million pound, award-winning street lighting and traffic sign improvement programme.

The project started late 2011 and was a major investment for Knowsley. During the last four years, every street in the borough has been systematically reviewed and redesigned and lighting has been replaced with the latest energy efficient technology, helping the council to reduce its carbon emissions and fuel bills. Columns that did not need replacing received an upgrade to provide consistent lighting standards for all of our residents and businesses.

Cllr Mike Murphy, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said:

“The street lighting and traffic sign replacement programme was a major investment for Knowsley, equipping the borough with street lighting and traffic signs fit for the 21st Century. Importantly in these tough financial times the programme has made the best use of limited public resources by reducing ongoing energy and maintenance costs which benefits residents and tax payers alike.”

While work was underway the programme was awarded a Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) and Department for Transport Award, recognising exemplar schemes which have reduced sign clutter on roads in England.

Studies have found excessive road signs have a detrimental impact on the environment and dilute important messages. Through the programme Knowsley has reduced by almost a third the number of traffic signs, whilst ensuring essential warnings and directions for road users are retained. In addition, removing unnecessary traffic signs has resulted in almost £650,000 being reinvested in new lighting and signage equipment.

The borough’s streets are now lit using ‘white’ light equipment that improves community safety by allowing better visibility and ensures the colour of vehicles and clothing can be seen during hours of darkness. Also, new remote monitoring technology allows us to detect and respond to faults more quickly.

The project has delivered significant energy savings with a reduction in energy consumption of over three million kilowatt hours of electricity, which has produced a permanent reduction in street lighting energy costs of 10%.

Replaced or upgraded as part of the programme

* 19,451 street lampposts
* 5,294 signs, bollards & belisha beacons

Removed or de-illuminated in accordance with latest Department of Transport guidelines:

· 1,898 signs removed
· 230 traffic signs/bollards de-illuminated

Kept the streets lit and safe

· Made safe 99% of emergency faults within one hour of being reported and responded to 99% of non-emergency faults within five working days

Kind to the environment

· Recycled 76% of waste, the equivalent of almost 3,000 small cars in weight

· Saved C02 emissions equivalent to that absorbed by 350 acres of new forest, or planting approximately 150,000 new trees

SSEC will continue to manage and maintain the street lighting and traffic signs for the next 21 years.

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