Safety fears prompt action to replace old street lighting

A PLAN to replace old and failing street lamps in the east of Bradford is to be considered by councillors.

The local authority is proposing replacing lighting in streets in the Bowling, Undercliffe and Barkerend areas, as part of an on-going scheme to replace old street lights amid safety fears and concerns many emit high levels of C02.

Members of Bradford Council will next week debate whether to spend £138,000 replacing those lights judged to be in the worst condition. However, members of Bradford Council’s Bradford East Area Committee will be told that a total of £249,000 is needed to replace all the old columns that have been identified as being at risk in the area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As a result of a funding shortfall it is proposed that councillors agree the priority streets where the cash needs spending and re-consider other schemes next year.

Similar schemes are also taking part in other parts of the Bradford district as part of an on-going programme across the area to modernise street lights and cut energy bills.

A report to be considered by councillors says there have been a “small number of incidents” in which street lighting columns have collapsed due to corrosion of the steel on the inside - something that was not evident from the outside.

It says: “Many of these columns were installed around 1974 and although a programme of external painting has prevented the columns from corroding on the outside the inside remains unprotected and is therefore vulnerable.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There are also a significant number of concrete columns that are in excess of 30 years old which are prone to cracking as a result of corrosion to the steel reinforcing bars inside the columns which also require replacement when identified as non compliant.”

Councillors, including the chairman of the Bradford East Area Committee, Coun Mohammed Shafiq, will be told when they meet on Tuesday that the move, as well as improving safety, would also help the local authority to slash energy bills.

“Modern street lighting equipment is considerably more energy efficient than older apparatus and when using dimming and white light can significantly reduce the energy and CO2 emissions,” the report adds