Let there be light - thanks to £123m

A CASH windfall of more than £123 million is on its way to Oldham and Rochdale to improve street lighting.

The massive funding injection will see 38,000 new lighting columns across the two boroughs in the first five years of the Private Finance Initiative scheme.

Plans also include the replacement of more than 5,000 illuminated traffic signs and bollards, reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions and the installation of technology for the detection of defective lighting.

The scheme, which sees the councils link up with a private contractor for an initial five-year investment and 25-year maintenance period, was supposed to be in place by early 2010 but was hit by government delays.

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “The delay has been regrettable but I hope people will soon start to see the difference.

“This will catch up with years of neglect and replace columns that should have been done years ago.

“It’s a lot of money and a good deal for us. New lighting could give us the option of dimming lighting and streetlights even reacting to traffic movement.”

The funding is part of £430 million of government funding to improve lighting in six local authorities, also taking in Cambridgeshire, Croydon, Lewisham and Knowsley.

Around 80 per cent of lighting stock in Oldham and Rochdale will be replaced during the first five-year investment, which will bring them up to modern standards.

Work is due to begin this summer.

Local and Regional Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “Good street lighting is vitally important in reducing road accidents, crime and the fear of crime.

“That is why, despite current financial constraints, we have made £123.1 million available to Oldham and Rochdale for this important scheme.

“We are committed to providing investment for much-needed improvements to our local public services.”