Leading City Councillors have welcomed the start of work to improve Coventry’s street lighting and lit traffic signs. The programme will replace or upgrade almost 30,000 lighting columns during the next five years.
The works, undertaken by Balfour Beatty follows the signing of a PFI contract worth £250m over 25 years. Many of Coventry’s Street lights are out of date, leading to an increasing problems and a need for temporary repairs. Approximately 15,000 columns across the Coventry are beyond their original 25 year design life and require urgent replacement. In addition just over two thirds of Coventry’s lighting is of a poor quality and does not meet current lighting standards.
In addition to the replacement of street lighting, Coventry will benefit from the replacement of 5,400 illuminated traffic signs and bollards, reduced energy bills and CO2 emissions. Those street lights that were replaced under the Council’s own investment programme over the last five years will not be replaced as part of the PFI project. Finally, light will be targeted downwards to reduce light pollution in local communities, helping to make local residents feel safer in their community.
Commenting on the improvements, Councillor Allan Andrews (Con, Earlsdon Ward), the Conservative Spokesman for City Services, said: “Not investing in new street lighting infrastructure was not a viable option for Coventry due to a lack of investment for many years prior to 2004. The ageing stock posed an ongoing risk for the Council which required urgent and significant investment. The new street lighting will reduce light pollution, help to make people feel safer and will deliver real, tangible benefits for all residents of the city. I am amazed that Labour Councillors who voted against key decisions on this scheme and pledged to scrap it are now trying to claim credit for it.”
The Deputy Leader of Coventry Conservatives, Councillor Kevin Foster (Con, Cheylesmore Ward), added: “The start of major works to upgrade Coventry’s lighting stock is the culmination of the vision which was developed by the Conservative Group whilst in control of the City Council. Residents in my own ward of Cheylesmore are already seeing improvements as work is underway in Daventry Road and about to begin in Dillotford Avenue, as well as Chatsworth Rise and Charminster Drive. Labour Councillors have stated this scheme will make Coventry’s street lighting the envy of other cities. I agree, but it is no thanks to them.”