Fairstead to be among leading lights
Lynn's Fairstead Estate will be one of the first areas to have its street lighting reviewed under a £150 million agreement signed by Norfolk County Council.
The county has this week entered into a 25-year Private Finance Initiative with one of the country's leading support services providers, Amey, to upgrade and maintain 50,000 street lights and 12,000 illuminated signs and bollards across Norfolk.
It means the private firm will replace roadside street lights, as well as maintain and repair them, throughout the 25-year contract. Work is set to start in February.
Roadside lights previously maintained by West Norfolk Council are included in the agreement and a county council spokesman said: "Fairstead Estate will be one of the earlier areas to be looked at for its lighting needs."
Part of the agreement allows for lights to be dimmed on major routes when traffic levels are low and use of other energy-saving measures made possible by the latest technology developments.
Adrian Gunson, NCC Cabinet member for planning and transportation, said: "I am extremely pleased that we have agreed terms for this major project to upgrade thousands of the county's street lights.
"This investment will transform the quality of our street lighting stock."
He said it represented a "fantastic deal" for the people of Norfolk as the Government would meet about 80 million of the total through grants over the 25 years.
"Many of our street lights are coming to the end of their planned life and this major project will allow large-scale replacement to be carried out quickly and effectively through a private company partnership.
"There will also be environmental benefits with the new equipment," Mr Gunson said.
County council special projects manager Chris Kutesco said: "The signing of this contract represents the end of a long period of negotiation to agree a good deal for the residents and road users of Norfolk to improve lighting along our roads."
Amey chief executive Mel Ewell said: "This contract is not just about providing better street lighting in Norfolk, it is also about helping to enhance the area and benefit the local community by making it feel safer at night."
The company currently has street lighting PFI contracts in Manchester, Wakefield and Walsall, and manages more than 500,000 street lights across the country.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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