Funding for extra street lights
Parishes across Richmondshire are to get the chance to bid for extra street lights.
The District Council is making £45,000 available. This is enough for 30 new lights to be installed in towns and villages. Parishes can apply for three each and they will be considered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
The new scheme is part of a larger street lighting improvement project approved by members of Corporate Board this week (April 13). That £220,000 scheme will also see the completion of a programme to replace all the outdated concrete lights and worn out lamps and brackets across the district, with solar lights being considered as a first option.
The council owns and manages 1,800 street lights, mostly in non public highway locations. Its ten year maintenance programme also includes part nighting. This gives parish and town councils the option to switch lights off from midnight to 5am to reduce light pollution and energy costs. So far 284 lights in 20 parishes have been switched to this system – and new installations under the scheme will automatically be part nighted.
“This scheme will see all the street lights across the district updated. We began this work in 2013 but with the extra money we have allocated this week we will see it finished two years early,” said Council Leader, Councillor Angie Dale.
“Making sure our communities are safe is a key aim of this council. These new street lights will go some way towards that.”
Requests for new lights will be accepted from May 1.