Switching on to a brighter district

A five year street light replacement programme across the Wakefield district will be completed this week when the 28,000th new light is installed.

The replacement programme is well ahead of schedule, less than five years after the start of Wakefield Council’s partnership with Amey, and is part of the Council’s commitment to create safer and stronger communities.

The 25-year partnership with Amey is to replace 28,000 old concrete lighting columns with modern steel lighting columns and white lights over the first five years. Amey is responsible for maintaining the district's 41,000 lighting columns under the contract.

The final street light will be installed on Tuesday (April 1) at 1pm at the junction of Charlotte Street and Grove Street, off Ings Road, Wakefield. The ceremony will be attended by Cllr Peter Box, Leader of Wakefield Council, and Steve Hewitson, Assistant Project Manager for Amey.

Cllr Box said: “I am very pleased at how successful the replacement programme has been. Amey were contracted to replace 28,000 lights in the first five years of the contract and they have completed this ahead of schedule. The street lighting programme is part of a district wide £130m scheme to replace street lighting columns to create a safer district and an attractive environment - two of the Council’s priorities.”

Mr Hewitson said: “We are extremely pleased with the progress of the project and the fitting of the final lighting column ahead of schedule is testament to the hard work by all those involved. We look forward to the continuing partnership with Wakefield Council, helping it develop safer streets and communities.”

To report a problem with street lighting contact Amey on 0800 783 1654.

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