Home > Newsroom > Replacement of Poole's 17,500 street lights moving on at a pace
Borough of Poole is half way through its £9 million project to replace approximately 17,500 street lights in Poole.
So far 8,500 new lanterns on existing lamp posts and approximately 3,000 complete lamp posts have been successfully replaced with energy efficient LED lighting.
Over the next 18 months a further 5,800 complete lamp posts, which are over 40 years old will be replaced.
Virtually every road in Poole will be affected by these works at some point. Once each road is completed the residents will benefit from better quality 'white' light which closely resembles daylight. The new lights will stay switched on throughout the night but will be dimmed, where appropriate, during hours when use of the highway is reduced.
Lighting within selected Conservation Areas, including the listed lamp posts in the Old Town, will remain unaffected by the initial programme but may be considered for upgrade in future where possible.
John Rice, Engineering Manager, Borough of Poole, said: "This is a huge investment in Poole's infrastructure and we are really pleased with the progress being made. Residents should really benefit from the new white lights, especially with the evenings getting darker earlier."
Julian McLaughlin, Head of Transportation Services, Borough of Poole, said: "This major project has the potential to save approximately 70 per cent on our street lighting energy consumption, in addition to annual savings on maintenance costs. Two-thirds of the street lighting infrastructure in Poole is currently aged beyond its design life of 25 years so it's great to see this important work to our town's street lights continuing."
Volker Highways, who also maintain the street lights in Bournemouth, have been contracted to complete this major project.
David Easton, Lighting Business Manager, Volker Highways, said: "The project to date has gone according to programme with the installation of around 88 new columns per week. We aim to carry out the works with minimum disruption to road users and residents to ensure a seamless process."
A rolling-programme showing the roads that will be affected over the next few months is available on the council's website www.poole.gov.uk/LEDstreetlighting.
Last updated: 21 September 2017 15:58:36