Back at the weekend, I noted that a handful of MA50s on Port Way had been replaced, but most were still in place. I suspect these have all been wiped out by now. The LED replacements seem all but complete. There are quite a few missed installations around though, and the question is whether they will be finishing off these loose ends in the near future, or if they might hang on a while longer and get picked off in drips and drabs.
Portsmouth City Council's web page about LED street lighting has been updated. Quote:
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we are replacing around 15,000 street lights in Portsmouth with new energy-efficient LED lighting technology.
The improvements to more sustainable street lighting will:
- reduce energy use by around 40%
- save about £400,000 of public money every year
- improve visibility with a whiter light
- reduce the amount of maintenance work that disrupts residents
- lead to safer streets and reduced crime
- be able to be adjusted remotely
We'll also be looking at how we could make the special heritage or ornate street lights more sustainable. This type of lighting is found in Old Portsmouth and parts of Southsea.
The work take place over 2 years:
Phase 1 - LED technology was put into most street lights along residential streets. A successful trial took place on three streets in Portsmouth in 2018.
Phase 2 - LED technology was put into street lights along most main roads.
Phase 3 - We will start adjusting the lighting levels across the city between 10pm and 6am. There will be a full consultation with ward councillors, the police, and the city safety team. A trial will begin in five areas across the city.
Phase 4 - We will make recommendations about improving the sustainability of street lighting in the city. This will include any special heritage or ornate street lights.This suggests the council think the functional LED replacements are complete (Phases 1 and 2), despite what I said about stuff being missed out. To hear that dimming is going to be implemented is a fairly new thing, although something previously suggested as a future option. And the newest thing is hearing that they are going to investigate what to do to the decorative lighting stock, which doesn't come as a surprise.