Street care and cleaning LED lighting
What is Shropshire Council doing?
Replacing traditional lights with more modern LED lights.
What is LED street lighting?
LED stands for light-emitting diode. It is a modern lighting technology that uses a large number of highly energy efficient, tiny light emitting units (diodes) that are grouped together to provide a light source.
LEDs produce the same light output but with a lower wattage. For example, a 30W LED will provide a similar road lighting level to an existing 70W high pressure sodium light, reducing the amount of energy that will be required to light our streets.
The new lights have some advantages
- Use much less electricity than other lamps, reducing energy cost
- Long lives compared to traditional lights reducing maintenance costs
- LED lights have expected lifetime of up to 100,000 hours
- Produce very little heat
- Less carbon emissions
- Do not contain mercury which is kinder to the environment
- Operate effectively in extremely cold and hot environments more reliable
- Provide an improved quality of light
- Instantaneous with no warm-up time and function at full output when switched on, meaning streets will be lit as soon as lighting is needed
What are the benefits?
- CO2 savings both for the environment and financially
- Reduced energy costs of around 60%
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Financial savings from LED lights with Money saved ploughed into other services
- Less maintenance and public disturbance
- Reduced light pollution and improved darker skies
How much money will the council save?
Approximately one million per year. The savings over time will allow us to spend money on other services.
How much CO2 will be saved?
Around 7,000 tonnes per year.
Why are you doing this work?
- Better lighting in a more sustainable way
- Saves Shropshire’s taxpayers some money – approx. one million per year
- Environmental benefits
- Meet environmental commitments
- LED technology is more reliable reducing the number of lights out on Street
- Increasing energy prices have a significant impact on the authorities budget, LED lighting will reduce energy consumption by up to 60% saving taxpayers money
Why now?
New government Salix funding has become available allowing us to make further investments in the county’s highways. With rising energy costs etc it's important that local authorities find ways to better spend/save their budgets.
Where are you doing this?
All Shropshire will be covered. We are prioritising those areas most in need.
How are you deciding which areas to do first?
Kier are working to spread the works across the county but it depends on the designs we receive.
How long does it take to do an area?
Depending on the amount of work needed, our skilled workforce will be able to replace lights with a minimum of delay.
How will the lights be different?
LED lights are more directed and light does not splay out like old fashioned sodium lights causing unwanted light pollution.
What differences will I notice?
- Directed light
- The new light columns will be taller/shorter and different colour
- Different colour whiter/cleaner light emitted improving colour rendition over the previous sodium / sox lanterns
- The spread of the light will be reduced as it is directed to cover the highway and this will result in less light being directed towards private properties
How will I know about works near me?
- Through our website
- Our social media channels
- Signage around the sites themselves
Will I notice much disruption?
In most cases we can do the work without causing to much disruption, the task of replacing lights can normally be done quickly within 15 minutes. Our skilled staff will ensure it's done with the minimum of delay. We'll utilise traffic management on distributor roads which will help minimise delays or disruption.
The new LED street light is shining in/onto by property, what can be done about the light intrusion?
Street lighting is installed for the benefit of society and is designed to light the surrounds to a road, as well as the road itself. In this way road users are assisted in seeing potential hazards, such as children.
It's not possible to eliminate light intrusion fully, as doing so would probably render the street light non-functional. If a street light is badly positioned, causing excessive intrusion of light, we will investigate and try to find an acceptable solution to the problem
Any concerns are to be raised within the first three months following the installation of the new LED lantern, upon which we will investigate and take appropriate action if required.