DDC commits to £1m investment in new street lighting

A £1m investment in new street lighting, including the extensive replacement of lights with LED lamps, is set to provide a brighter, safer and more environmentally friendly way forward in Dover District, following a decision by Cabinet this week. 

DDC is currently responsible for more than 2,500 street lights across the district. 

The first element of the works will include an extensive replacement programme of more than 100 lighting columns, and the upgrading of all of the district’s concrete columns in order for the new LED lamps to be fitted. 

The second element to these works will be to replace all of the existing high wattage sodium lamps with LEDs. It is estimated that the £500k cost of the LED conversion will be paid back from energy savings within 5 years. This will provide further sustainability and improved footway lighting across the district. 

Cllr Trevor Bartlett, DDC Cabinet Member for Property Management said: "We know that street lighting is important to local communities. Brighter, more efficient street lights help people feel safe at night and assist with community safety measures like CCTV coverage." 

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC Cabinet Member for Environment said: "This sustainable programme to replace our lights with LEDs is good news for the environment.  This will help to reduce light pollution, and will save on energy usage for the future, helping to reduce our carbon footprint and lower costs to Council Tax payers."