Upgrading Portsmouth’s Heritage streetlights with LED technology

March 15, 2021 / Comments (0)

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From PCC to residents or business owners:

Upgrading Portsmouth’s Heritage streetlights with LED technology 

As part of a project to reduce energy consumption and improve street lighting across the city, we will be replacing the Heritage streetlights in Portsmouth with new LED technology. We have worked closely with conservation officers and have tested several alternative options in Grand Parade, to ensure that the new lights match the existing look and feel of the heritage lighting. 

We will be working to conserve the majority of heritage lighting and we have identified LED technology that can be fitted within these street lights without impacting the design and structure of the light. 

When newly installed some people have noticed that the LED lanterns appear brighter. The new LED lights have been designed to light footpaths and roads with a more even light, while avoiding intrusion of light into people’s homes, or business premises. Where lanterns have previously been shielded these shields will be replaced. The new LED lanterns will also have technology that enables us to adjust their brightness after installation. 

Many existing heritage lights appear orange in colour, this is because they are reaching the end of their useful life. The new LED lights will be soft white, this is the same colour as a new non LED heritage lantern would be. 

As LED technology is more energy efficient than the existing street lights, we expect to save approximately £400,000 a year in reduced energy costs. In addition, because the lights are more reliable, there will be further savings to maintenance and repair costs. 

Replacing the streetlights in Portsmouth will take 7 months. Our contractor, Colas, will be changing the lighting on your street in the next few weeks. Replacing each light should take approximately 1 hour. 

Colas will be working to install the LED technology from 7.30am to 5pm each day, weather permitting. We aim to ensure this work causes as little disruption as possible, and we have considered any specific needs in the area. For example, hours of work around a school will be between 9.30am to 3pm to accommodate drop-off and pick-up times. 

There are no plans to close roads unless Colas’ vehicles cannot park close to lampposts to carry out the work. Heritage columns will also be given a fresh coat of paint in the coming months. 

Should you have any concerns regarding this project, or have specific requirements that we should be aware of, please call the City Helpdesk on 023 9283 4092. 

If you would like to know more about this project, and the benefits of LED lighting, please visit: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/streetlighting 

Yours faithfully 

The LED Streetlight Team 

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