Council installs dog-proof lampposts

12.00.00am GMT Fri 8th Dec 2006

Dogs answering the call of nature will no longer put city estates in the shade, thanks to a £5.4m investment in new energy-saving street lighting.

The stainless steel lamp posts have self-healing chemical properties that make them more resistant to corrosive liquids and were installed in March on the Netherfield estate as part of a pilot project designed to save up to 40% off the cost of traditional street lighting.

Now forward thinking Milton Keynes council officers are meeting the challenge of soaring world energy costs by being the first authority in the UK to start to roll out across the city the environment-friendly street lighting technology called Lon Works.

The street lights are more efficient casting 'white light' more effectively from 35 watt lamps than the existing yellow light 50 watt equivalents and each light has a remote computer system so they can be monitored from a central control room to check if they need to be repaired.

The new lamp posts are longer-lasting having a projected 1500 year life compared to just 35 years for normal steel lamp posts which depreciate to just five years for those subject to excessive use as toilets by dogs.

Lorraine Calcott, who works in the council street lighting section, said: "The new street lights are cheaper and use less energy. We project that we will save up to 40% compared to the cost of traditional street lights.

"We decided this was a more sustainable option than considering switching off every other light to save money as some councils have done which carries with it many road safety and crime prevention implications.

"The remote monitoring system will mean lights can be repaired more quickly having a positive impact on crime prevention in areas that suddenly become poorly lit."

In addition, recent studies have shown that good street lighting is a factor in driving down crime in neighbourhoods and is a deterrent to drug users because they struggle to inject drugs into the veins as the systems 'white' light makes them less visible to the human eye.

Council street lighting manager John Peachey outlined that they planned to invest £1.8m per year for the next three years rolling out the new lighting system across the borough, although most of the lamp posts will only be replaced when they reach the end of their natural life.

Cllr Chris Williams, cabinet member responsible for Street Lighting, said: "Good street lighting has always been important in making residents feel more safe and secure in their community.

"The bonus is that we can now provide this service as a council in a more cost effective and energy efficient way."