Plymouth expects £1 million annual savings from LED street lighting upgrade
Plymouth City Council has given the go-ahead for an £8 million street lighting upgrade as part of a wider energy and carbon dioxide saving programme.
The project kicks off this summer, when nearly 29,000 street lights across the city will be replaced with LED lamps from Urbis Schreder over an 18-month stretch. It is expected to save the council just over £1 million a year in energy costs.
“As well as being more economical, the new lamps will have additional social benefits,” explained councillor Mark Coker, cabinet member for transport. “The light they emit is whiter and clearer, allowing a wider spectrum of colours to be seen and facial features to be distinguished. As a result, we hope that the new street lights will make people feel safer.”
The council carried out an LED lighting trial in February of last year, when 100 lamps were replaced across 14 roads in the West Park area. Feedback showed 73 per cent of residents preferred the new lights.
“White light has been shown to improve visibility for drivers, who can detect roadside movement faster and at a greater distance, which improves road safety,” Coker said. “The street lights also direct light downwards, which reduces the amount of light pollution into people’s houses, as well as the night sky.”
