Calls for views on ways to save money on street lighting in Leeds

The people of Leeds have their chance to share their views on the most effective way to save money and energy on street lights, through a public consultation launched today. The council is inviting opinions from individuals, groups and organisations who live in the Leeds area.

Leeds City Council is responsible for 92,000 streetlights which consume approximately £4million of electricity per year. Since 2013, around 4,000 street lights (4% of all) in Leeds have been set for part-night operation saving £136,000 per year in energy costs. Finding further ways to save money on street lights is part of a larger initiative to make the savings due to the council’s challenging current financial position.

The findings of the consultation will help shape how the council can potentially make further savings through its street lights programme. The available options for the street lights savings include;

1. Swapping a significant proportion of street lights to part night operation (where lights are turned off between midnight and 5.30am).
2. Swapping all of the street lights to LED
3. Doing a mixture of both.

Other suggestions relating to saving money on street lights would also be welcomed.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning said:

“While this public consultation is aimed at helping us cut emissions and save money that can be invested in other essential council services, residents can be assured that road safety and the impact of crime will continue to remain key factors in the management and roll out of our street lighting programme.

“Careful consideration has been given to the options put forward in the consultation. We look forward to hearing the thoughts of residents, groups and organisations on these options, which will be used to shape our final decisions regarding our street lighting programme.”

The consultation period starts on 27 November and continues until 26  January 2018. The final proposals will be considered by the council’s executive board in March 2018.

To find out more and take part in the consultation people can visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/SLC17