This in from Island Roads, in their own words. Ed
Last week Island Roads received a local Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Award in recognition of the work they carried out to improve the street lighting systems in Cowes.
Street light programme
A key part of the new highways service provided by Island Roads is the programme to enhance or replace all street lights across the Island by 2016, converting existing lights to energy-saving, carbon efficient LED units.
Over 100 lights and columns have already been replaced or enhanced since 1 April 2013. These can be seen in a number of streets in Cowes, East Cowes and Gunville.
Dave May, Island Roads Business Manager said:
“We are delighted to receive this ‘Good Lighting Award’ so early on in our programme from such a reputable body. The CPRE has recognised that the new lighting respects the “Dark Skies” commitments in place to protect the Island’s unique environment whilst improving the look and feel of roads and pavements, and directing light where it is most needed, without creating light pollution.”
Background on LED
LED stands for Light Emitting Diodes – a modern lighting technology that uses a large number of highly energy efficient, tiny light emitting units (diodes) grouped together to provide a light source. Longer term benefits of the new system mean that the lighting will be more energy efficient and will be able to be controlled – dimming and enhancing our streets and public spaces in accordance with the Isle of Wight Council’s requirements.
Island Roads
Island Roads officially took on the responsibility for the Island’s highways on the 1 April 2013 and will deliver a range of services to improve the Island’s infrastructure over the next 25 years.
These include resurfacing and improving the 500 miles of roads and 470 miles of footways; replacing over 12,000 street lights with brighter, more environmentally friendly LED lights; upgrading litter bins and deploying new, state-of-the-art street cleaning equipment.
