Specification
Lambeth Council entered into a partnership with Lambeth Lighting Services (LLS) – a consortium of David Webster Limited (DW), ETDE and IIC (LS Trillium) at the end of 2005 to make Lambeth’s streets brighter and safer by installing almost 15,000 new street lights, signs and bollards across the Borough by 2009.
In looking at ways of improving the existing lighting stock, the Council recognised that the levels of illumination in large areas of the Borough did not meet BS EN 13201 lighting standards. The condition and age of the stock was such that considerable capital expenditure was required, so the Council applied for, and were awarded central government funding under the Private Finance Initiative scheme (PFI).
The proposed lighting design and installation programme had to take into consideration energy and environmental concerns such as:
The reduction of lighting pollution and the conservation of energy;
Whole life costing (equipment selected and warranted to meet the life term of the
contract and beyond);
The availability of the latest technology in low energy consumption lamps; and
Prioritisation of new street lighting being installed in high crime and poorly
lit areas.
In addition, the Council required a 24 hour customer care service to make it easier for residents to report faulty lighting or damaged bollards.
The DW solution
Under the 25 year PFI agreement, a structured replacement scheme (known as
the Core Investment Period) was devised to ensure all lighting units in the Borough
meet the new British and European standards by replacing 80% of the existing
stock within the first four years, in addition to an ongoing maintenance, repair,
replacement and testing programme.
Under the obligations placed on Councils by the Local Authorities Act 1999
in respect of Best Value, DW worked with the Council to ensure the consultation
of all stakeholders affected by the new service took place. This involved a number
of initiatives such as consultation letters to all residents affected by the works
informing them of when installation work was due to start in their road in advance.
Also DW and Lambeth Officers attended a large number of Area Committee
Meetings, Individual Ward Meetings and Resident Associations across Lambeth
giving brief presentations, and answering a range of questions on the installation
programme, lighting design and ongoing maintenance.
To meet some of the Council’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) a new
state-of-the-art, web-enabled asset management system was installed, enabling
DW to computerise all operational tasks, and allowing the Council real-time
access to the system to monitor performance; provide detailed information on their
assets, and ensure a reliable and transparent record of all events is captured.
Benefits to client
Brighter, safer and more attractive streets, encouraging the use of local facilities
at night – it is also essential in helping to reduce road traffic accidents, and
supports other ‘Streetcare’ services such as night time collection of refuse and
street cleansing. Enhanced street lighting also reduces the incidence of graffiti,
flyposting and illegal dumping.
An affordable, new, street lighting infrastructure with the risk being transferred
to the Contractor.
