Let there be light
Extract from Middlesbrough Gazette
Sandy Mckenzie, Evening Gazette
Thousands of crumbling streetlights are set to be replaced or repaired in a new £1m contract.
The deal will include continuing a rolling programme to replace ageing street lamp columns. Middlesbrough Council replaces around 1,000 columns a year.
A council spokesman said time and the weather took its toll on the condition of older lamp columns. Some of the columns were 35 to 40 years old and the average lifespan of a column was 25 years. In addition better and more efficient lamps were now fitted to the columns. A seven year "partnership contract" has been signed by Middlesbrough Council and specialist lighting company, David Webster Ltd (DWL).
They will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the 24,000 street and highway lights across the town.
The council spends around £300,000 a year replacing and upgrading lights and as an integral part of the contract, DWL are to provide effective maintenance and improving services to the public.
Ron Lowes, the council's Executive councillor for transport, said: "
This is a genuine partnership between two organisations who are pledged to provide an excellent service to local people. "Good and reliable street lighting is essential for the smooth running of the town so this partnership is an important foundation for making the town safer."
Energy costs for the lighting system run at around £700,000 a year and the electricity comes from renewable sources.
The council and DWL are looking at a range of ways they can cut down energy costs and carbon emissions.
Bertrand Richard, managing director of DWL said: "
We are excited at the new partnership and delighted to be working with Middlesbrough to help create safer and better lit and well maintained streets".
"
We will continue to work with Middlesbrough on this tremendous opportunity and will include a continuous improvement programme."
DWL is based in Hertfordshire and has a local branch in Middlesbrough. The company has provided street lighting maintenance services in Middlesbrough since 1994. It employs 300 people nationwide and have been consistently in the top three of the UK's largest, specialist lighting contractors during their 45 years in the industry.
