Agenda item

The Assistant Director for Highways and Transport Operations introduced the Update on Street Lighting Report, which included the progress made with the light emitting diode (LED) roll-out programme and the outcomes so far from the concrete column survey. The Panel last received an update in August 2020.

Members were reminded that during the Council’s recent Budget setting process, an extra £6m had been allocated to complete the LED conversion and that the Council’s street lighting services were delivered by the Lighting Maintenance Contractor, Prysmian.

From August 2020 – March 2021, there had been 4,547 LED conversions and 324 concrete replacements and by the end of March 2022, it was estimated that there would be at total of 10,323 LED conversions and 825 concrete replacements completed.

At the end of March 2022, it was anticipated there would be 20,573 (37%) non-LED streetlights left to convert.  Noting that the current contract for the unmetered supply was due to expire in April 2022 and the new rate had been confirmed at an increase of 88.6% (from 13.455p per kwh to 23.38p per kwh) it had been agreed that the conversion of the remaining non-LED streetlighting would be accelerated using the £6m allocation. It was anticipated that this would be delivered within 12-18 months.

During the opportunity for discussion, the following main points were made:

·       In response to a member question about whether the Contractor would be able to complete the accelerated roll-out of LED conversions within 12-18 months, the Panel was advised that discussions had taken place with the Contractor to confirm this, although realistically the roll-out conversion may slip to completion in 2023/24.

·       It was explained that the actual charge for the UMS was calculated by using industry codes and regulations.

·       The weblink to the Geographic Information System (GIS) Maps for streetlights would be circulated to all Councillors as a reminder of street light locations.

·       In 2019, £2m had been approved from the Highways Infrastructure Investment Fund allocation for the roll-out of the replacement of ageing concrete columns and to fit LEDs as they were replaced in addition to the replacement of existing (relatively) low efficiency lanterns with new LED stock on existing steel columns. The intention was to spend this allocation on the improvements within 2 years, however due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant delays (in both supplies and Contractor resources) it will have been successfully completed by end of March 2022.  It was agreed that the Panel would be provided with the details of the total number of LED conversions to date.

·       There were areas in the County where specialist lamps (red lights) had been fitted for the protection of ecology, the examples give were Warndon Villages and Fernhill Health (for bat colonies).

·       Heritage lamps were currently being sourced and would be retro fitted where appropriate.

·       In terms of solar options, it was confirmed that some solar units were currently being trialled.

·       The main supplier of LED lamps for the conversion process was a local company based in Redditch.

·       The life expectancy of a LED lamp was 15-20 years (with a 10 year guarantee) compared to 4 years for a sodium lamp.

·       It was explained that in the case of a faulty batch of lamps, the supplier had replaced them free of charge and also covered the re-fitting costs too.

·       The Panel would be provided with details of the key performance indicators and monitoring arrangements for the LED conversion programme.

·       Hard to reach concrete columns were very successfully reached by a mini-crane.

·       In response to a question about the progress of LED conversions in Redditch, the Panel was advised that all concrete columns had been assessed and a few still needed to be replaced.

The Chairman thanked officers for the Report and the progress made with the Programme.