New street lighting for Walsall in £14m replacement scheme

Around 24,600 existing lanterns would be replaced with the technology over a three-year period, with bosses claiming it will help save on costs in the future.

Street lighting energy makes up more than 30 per cent of Walsall Council's total electricity usage and in 2014/15 it was estimated to have cost the authority £1.7m - £900,000 more than five years ago.

It comes after similar schemes on a smaller scale have been carried out in Bloxwich, Leamore and Brownhills at a total cost of £750,000, with the aim of reducing the council's carbon footprint.

Complaints were received about the lights with some residents saying they were too dim and there were fears it could lead to increased trouble and anti-social behaviour.

But council chiefs said a survey carried out after the first wave of new lights showed the majority of residents were pleased with them.

A report to the council's neighbourhoods scrutiny and performance panel, which meets tomorrow (Thur 9), said LED lighting was known to emit better light requiring less maintenance and electricity.

It states: "The proposal when formally developed is likely to require investment of approximately £14m which would be funded via prudential borrowing over a period of three years.

"The payback period is estimated to be approximately 18 years followed by the generation of an overall saving over the notional 25 year borrowing period.

"If the council is to reduce its base line energy costs and seek to protect itself from forecast energy price increases and legislative carbon reduction payments it is essential for the council to consider investing in technological innovation to reduce consumption requirements."

A high-tech central computer system enables lights to be controlled and energy consumption levels monitored.

The light is said to be whiter and brighter than traditional street lanterns, promoting public safety by improving the quality of CCTV camera images and making colours easier to discern.

LEDs also have a working life of 20-25 years compared to between three and six years for conventional lighting.

More recently, the new smart street lighting was installed in Caldmore.

Around 550 old-style sodium lanterns in St Matthew's, Pleck and Palfrey areas were replaced with new LED lights by Amey LG on behalf of the council's partner, Walsall Public Lighting, as part of the authority's invest-to-save scheme.