Thousands more LED streetlights are set to be installed in Liverpool, slashing energy costs and saving thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions.
A new maintenance contract for the city’s streetlights has been recommended for approval to the Council’s Cabinet that will also include a significant capital investment that will see the energy efficient light bulbs installed.
LED streetlights are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional lighting such as high-pressure sodium or metal halide lamps. They convert a higher percentage of electricity into light, reducing energy waste and helping Liverpool City Council achieve its aims of net zero emissions by 2030.
LEDs are also more durable and require less maintenance, further contributing to long-term cost savings.
The new contract is valued at £8.5m for maintenance with £21.5m for capital investment. It will initially run for three years with an option to extend for an additional two years.
Liverpool City Council began installing LED streetlights from 2014. In this first phase 12,000 LED lights were installed in over 1800 streets.
LED lights typically achieve energy savings of 40% to 80% – directly translating into lower electricity bills for the council.
Further cost-savings are achieved as LED streetlights have a much longer lifespan, often lasting 20-25 years, compared to the three-to-four year lifespan of traditional lamps. This drastically reduces the frequency of bulb replacements and associated maintenance work, leading to significant cost savings on labour, equipment, and traffic management.
By reducing energy consumption, Liverpool City Council will also become less vulnerable to fluctuations and potential increases in electricity prices, leading to more predictable budgeting.
The longer lifespan of LEDs means fewer bulbs need to be manufactured, transported, and disposed of, reducing waste and the environmental impact associated with these processes. LEDs also often don’t contain the harmful chemicals found in traditional lights, such as mercury and sodium, making them more environmentally friendly to dispose of and recyclable.
LED streetlights are designed to direct light downwards onto roads and pavements, minimizing light spill into homes, gardens, and the night sky. This helps to preserve the natural environment, reduce disturbance to wildlife, and improve the visibility of stars. Modern LED installations often utilize lower correlated colour temperature LEDs which are less disruptive to wildlife. The new LED lights will also provide a brighter, whiter light with better colour rendering compared to the yellowish glow of traditional sodium lamps. This enhances visibility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, potentially reducing accidents and improving road safety, especially at night.
Councillor Daniel Barrington – Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said: “Committing to net zero plans can see many benefits for Liverpool – and LED streetlights are one example of how services can be improved.
“These LED lights will save council taxpayers money, while being far more effective in brightening up streets in night hours. Not only that, as they will need less maintenance there will even be a cost saving there too.
“But the greatest impact will be in the massive reduction of harmful emissions into our atmosphere. This really is a win-win project that illustrates the improvement net zero projects can make to people’s lives in the city. “Ultimately, while we will see so many benefits, residents will face no reduction in the quality of street lighting – quite the opposite as LED lights are so much more effective at illuminating the street.”
