WORK is about to start on a £6.9m scheme to transform streetlighting in Swindon

Swindon Borough Council is working with SSE Enterprise Contracting to install 'smart' street lighting across the borough.

The scheme funded by Salix Finance will see 28,000 street lights converted to LED lanterns that have central controls using energy-efficient technology. The starts on Monday and should be finished by November 2021,

The upgrade is expected to deliver a big reduction in the amount of energy purchased and used by the council – aiming for a 61 per cent improvement – while providing better lighting services for Swindonians.

Coun Maureen Penny said: “This project is just one of many ways we are working towards achieving Swindon’s low carbon and climate change ambitions.

“These lights consume less energy, reduce light pollution and will save almost £800,000 per year. A new management system will allow us to switch lights on or off, and dim individual or groups of lamps.

“This will give us better control over our power consumption, while the system will automatically notify us of any failures, reducing the need for night-time inspections.”

SSE Enterprise contract manager on the project Stephen Paye said “We are proud to be undertaking the LED lighting upgrade.

“This is a great project that will bring huge benefits to Swindon, reducing the light pollution, energy consumption and its carbon footprint

.”