LED lighting project

The advantages of LED lighting include:

• LEDs are much more efficient and use much less electricity than other lamps or bulbs for similar output, reducing energy costs.
• Have extremely long lives compared to traditional lights.
• Produce very little heat.
• Produce much fewer carbon emissions through energy generation.
• Contain no mercury.
• Can operate effectively in both cold and hot environments.
• Produce a white light to enable the human eye to see natural colours at night.
• Are much more directional than other lights, reducing 'sky glow' and glare.
• LEDs are instantaneous and function at full output when switched on. No warm-up times as with most street lighting.
• They can be dimmed at off peak times.
• They provide improved uniformity of light.
• Variation in colour temperatures are available for specific applications.

There is no duty on the council to provide street lighting, but the safety and other benefits for the local communities are appreciated, and councils have traditionally provided street lighting.

Street lighting has benefits in terms of road safety and public safety. It supports the night time economy and helps reduce the fear of crime.

It is proposed to dim most of the lighting between 8pm and 6am, with additional dimming after 11pm. Lights at zebra crossings, areas with greater highway safety requirements, and areas with significant night time activity would generally not be dimmed.

At present solar powered units on the columns are generally not suitable, but the situation may change as technology develops.

​​​​We will be extending the existing central control and management system so that most of the county's street lights can be controlled remotely. This will allow some alterations to the lighting to be made in response to changing circumstances.

It is anticipated that the new units will last 20 to 25 years. The older lamps currently in use usually have to be changed every 3 to 6 years.