As part of a major traffic route improvement scheme, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability and environmental welfare with continued investment in LED lighting upgrades.
Sandwell Council was amongst the first forward thinking local authority to recognise the benefits of LED lighting solutions when they were first introduced. Since that time it has installed several thousand Indal Stela luminaires at residential locations across its six towns - Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury and West Bromwich.
Major improvement works commenced on the A41 Black Country Spine Route in 2010. This major transport infrastructure links both the M5 and M6 motorways and can carry as many as 60,000 vehicles a day. Having experienced great success with Stela, it was agreed Indal’s Luma ME Class LED luminaire would be the right choice for such a strategic traffic route.
The first phase will see 109 Luma 3 units installed on a fit and forget basis. They will replace the existing SON lighting on a point for point basis. The council also regarded the minimal six year maintenance cycle as being a vital time and cost saving factor, which contributed strongly to the decision to continue using LED lighting for this scheme.
In addition to the immediate improvement in appearance of the region, white light emitted from the LED street light has had a positive effect on road and pedestrian safety whilst also reducing the fear of crime. Other significant benefits have included the substantial cost savings due to reduced energy consumption, and lower CO2 emissions have supported the council towards meeting its carbon reduction objectives.
The council was also able to support local enterprise with this transformation as Indal WRTL has its UK Head Office in Tipton located on the A41 Black Country Spine Route.
John Sheppard, who heads the Sandwell Council street lighting team, commented:
“All the LED lighting improvements have made a massive difference to the night time environment of Sandwell. The council has built up an excellent working relationship with WRTL and have enjoyed enormous success on previous lighting schemes, having great feedback from local residents, pedestrians and other road users. The new LED installations will deliver substantial savings in energy and maintenance whilst reducing CO2 emissions and improving lighting levels in line with the authorities thematic objectives.”
