Streetlight upgrade continues across Devon

Work to upgrade more than 24,000 streetlights to LED lighting will continue across Devon next month (April).

The £10.2 million scheme, using Challenge Funding which Devon County Council received following a successful bid to the Department for Transport, will convert streetlights to lower wattage LED lighting, and around 5,000 columns will also be replaced as part of the project.

The replacement of streetlights, on mostly main (A and B) roads, got underway earlier this year in Barnstaple, where around 5,200 lights and 1,100 columns are being replaced, and Kingskerswell, where 750 lanterns and 100 columns are being upgraded. The scheme will now extend across other parts of the county from April.

Columns are currently being replaced on Topsham Road, in Exeter, during the school holidays to minimise disruption, before the lights are replaced. Tiverton will then be targeted, followed by Crediton.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “The vast majority of the columns and lanterns that are earmarked for upgrading are on our A and B road network. The modern LED technology will improve the quality of lighting while operating on a much lower wattage than the existing streetlights.

“The scheme aims to reduce carbon emissions, energy consumption and energy costs. Based on current prices it’s estimated that the scheme will save the County Council around £1million per year in energy costs.”

The Challenge Fund project will take two years to be fully implemented. Installation work is being carried out by SSE Contracting.

Streetlights will be upgraded on main roads throughout Devon, including those in Appledore, Ashburton, Axminster, Bideford, Bovey Tracey, Combe Martin, Cullompton, Dartington, Dartmouth, Dawlish, Exmouth, Holsworthy, Honiton, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, Lynton/Lynmouth, Okehampton, Sidmouth, Tavistock, Teignmouth, Totnes, Yealmpton.