Southend Council is investing in LED streetlighting , in order to save money and energy in the long run. This is something that the Lib Dems have supported for the rest of Essex, but it looks unlikely as long as the Conservatives stay in power in the County.
( and judging by the comments of one UKIP County Councillor, it looks unlikely that UKIP would bring in LEDs either)
Full story in the Echo here.
From the Echo article:
In January, 70 per cent of Basildon’s streetlights were switched off saving County Hall £222,000 a year. The switch off in Rochford and Castle Point saved £59,000 and £64,000 respectively.
Rodney Bass, Essex County Council’s highways cabinet member, was behind the switch off, and claimed that LED lamps were too expensive and their performance over a long period of time was unknown.
Firstly, the switch off hasn’t yet saved any money – it cost millions of pounds to install the new dimples on the streetlamps. Secondly, if LED lamps are too expensive and their performance over a long period of time is not known, why are Essex County Council installing LED lights in street sign illuminations in Chelmsford?