This proposal to be voted on under delegated powers by Ed Giles will be built into the Highways PFI scheme for potential bidders. The preferred bidder is to be announced by November 2012 so presumably won’t be instigated until 2013 at the earliest. This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
A new generation of modern streetlights are set to replace all existing lamps on the Isle of Wight in a move that will save both money and energy.
As part of the Highways PFI scheme, the IW Council is looking to replace all its 11,850 traditional sodium bulb streetlamps with state-of-the-art light emitting diode – or LED – models.
New streetlights use less energy
Not only do the new streetlights use less energy, but they offer light almost immediately meaning they can be switched on 15 minutes later than at present because they do not need ‘warm-up- times to reach the required brightness. Under the new proposals, each light is controlled separately from a central control room meaning individual lights or sections of lamps can be intensified, dimmed or even switched off remotely to provide maximum flexibility and efficiency.
This flexibility will also allow them to be switched off earlier in the morning if conditions allow. In addition, the new lights are so efficient they can provide better or equivalent lighting levels than at present but by using a fraction of the power.
Current energy cost £455k
Streetlights current accounts for ten percent of the council’s carbon footprint and it is estimated the new arrangement would provide a 65 per cent reduction in energy consumed. The current energy cost for street-lighting and illuminating road signs and traffic signals is around £455,000.
The proposals are contained in a delegated decision report published by the IW Council today.
Cabinet member to take delegated decision
Cllr Edward Giles is due to take the decision subject to comment raised and possible questioning by members of the council’s overview and scrutiny panel
“The proposal is a good example of the scope of the PFI. While the primary purpose is to improve the quality of the Island’s road network, the PFI will also bring ‘fence to fence’ improvements which means pavements, grass verges, CCTV networks and street furniture – as well as street lighting – will all be improved and maintained over the 25-year-life of the contract.”
Cllr Giles said: “The street-lighting aspect also illustrates the wider benefits the PFI brings both in terms of saving money and also in making a significant reduction in our carbon footprint.”
The delegated decision looks to establish this new approach to street-lighting which will be built into negotiations with the three organisations currently bidding to be the council’s partners in the scheme.
Image: David Reber’s Hammer Photography under CC BY 2.0
