New Energy Efficient Street Lighting for Reading

Press Release

14/02/2012

Nearly 230 new energy efficient street lights will be installed along the busy A33 and Kennetside next month as part of the Council’s successful Local Sustainable Transport Fund bid.

Work begins on March 12 to replace 184 lights along the busy A33, running between Imperial Way and the IDR. Works will take place through the night - from 8pm to 5am - to minimise disruption and will last for 7 nights. The new lights shine white light directly onto the road providing a safer environment and at the same time reducing energy costs and carbon emissions.

The upgrading of 42 street lights along Kennetside begins the following week - on March 19 - between Sidmouth Street and Kennet mouth, on the shared pedestrian and cycleway. This work will be done during the day and will continue for a period of two weeks. The new Kennetside lights are LED lighting which shines white light directly onto the shared pedestrian and cycle path, again providing a safer environment and reducing energy costs and carbon emissions.

Tony Page, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “The installation of the new lighting is part of the Council’s successful £4.9 million Local Sustainable Transport Fund bid which was secured from the Department for Transport last year to deliver lasting benefits to Reading residents. It will provide a boost to the local economy, reduce energy consumption and help tackle climate change.”

Notes to editor

The LSTF is the successor to the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) and the Urban Challenge Fund. Under the funding pot local councils were able to bid for small packages of under £5 million, and larger packages of up to £50 million over the four year fund period, but would only be able to be successful with one bid.
In July 2011 the DfT announced Reading Borough Council had a been successful in its smaller bid for £5 million worth of funding which enabled the Council to work up detailed proposals for a larger £24.2 million bid with was lodged with the Government in December last year.