Previous under-funding of street lighting maintenance and the lack of investment in new stock have contributed to the progressive deterioration of the UK street lighting stock and the failure to achieve modern service standards. Various surveys of the condition and effectiveness of lamp columns, control columns, feeder pillars and underground cabling indicated that significant levels of investment are necessary to reverse the cycle of deterioration and increasing unreliability, and bring lighting levels up to modern standards.
Lambeth
Enfield
Analysis of road accident statistics within the UK showed a direct correlation between lighting improvements and a reduction in after dark-road accidents.
The Councils believe the benefits to residents will include, amongst other things:
Improved road safety, in particular by reducing the incidence and severity of night
time accidents;
Reduction in the incidence of night time crime;
Increased leisure and commercial activity after dark;
Help to develop safer routes to schools; and
Create a quality environment for local people, business and tourism in general.
DW (David Webster Limited) has invested considerably in developing its PFI projects. From qualification to the final phase, contract finalisation and mobilisation, the Company offers integrated solutions in terms of funding, customer interface, design & construction capabilities and operation & maintenance of the scheme. DW was the first company to be awarded a street lighting PFI scheme.
A state-of-the-art, web-enhanced asset management system enables DW to computerise all tasks relating to the operation and maintenance of the lighting stock. From the client side, the authority will have real-time access to the system via the internet. They are able to monitor performance indicators, providing them with detailed knowledge of their assets and to ensure a reliable and transparent record of all events is captured. It is innovative approaches such as these that have earned DW enviable ratings from auditors for exceeding the standards set by local authorities.
DW understands the approach behind street lighting PFI schemes as it has played an active role in this new model from the very beginning. A further £700m PFI credits have recently been released by the Government enabling more Councils to renew and upgrade the street lighting in their Borough / County.
If you live within Barnet, Enfield or Lambeth and if the street lighting in your area is not compliant with the latest British and European Standards, then your Council will be upgrading the street lighting in your road in the coming years. The works will be carried out by DW on behalf of your Council, and will involve installing new lighting columns and luminaires (lamps). This work is part of a region wide programme to improve street lighting throughout the Borough.