Street lighting given £46m boost

Much of the street lighting is more than 25 years old

A multimillion-pound programme is set to improve lighting on Teesside.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has agreed a £46m contract to replace, upgrade and add to its lighting stock.

Under the scheme more than 15,000 columns, 85% of the existing stock, will be replaced as much of it has passed its 25-year life expectancy.

Another 2,500 columns will be added over the next five years, to bring the service up to European standards. Work is due to begin on 1 September.

The government has contributed £21m, with the council providing £1m a year for maintenance over the next 25 years. Work is due to begin in September.

Cut crime

Councillor Mary Lanigan, cabinet member for highways, transportation and planning, said: "Our surveys show the importance the public places on street lighting, with its rating as the third most important service, behind waste collection and street cleaning.

"We've even discovered that the space between them is too much, that's why we're not only embarking on a replacement programme, but also putting in thousands of new columns."

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said: "This important scheme will bring massive improvements to Redcar and Cleveland.

"Most importantly, it will ensure better lit roads and pavements, which will improve road safety and cut crime as well as the fear of crime."