12.4 Street Lighting

We will provide an effective and sustainable street lighting service.

Street lighting supports many of the themes of the Local Transport Plan. During the hours of darkness it provides a valuable service to increase safety for all road users. It also reduces the level of crime and antisocial behaviour. New equipment and operating systems reduce the impact of lighting on the environment.

The County Council will provide an effective and sustainable street lighting service to;

• Reduce the number and severity of road casualties
• Reduce crime and the fear of crime
• Improve access to essential services and social activities
• Respect Conservation and Special Areas
• Reduce environmental impact, and
• Provide safe and effective delivery.

12.4.1 Reduce the Number and Severity of Road Casualties

There are currently some 373 specific locations in Lancashire that have a significantly high proportion of darkness accidents. Over a five year period, the number of accidents at these sites was 655 higher than the average. The County Council will install or improve lighting at these locations.

The County Council has installed several lighting schemes using composite columns that collapse on impact so as to reduce the severity of injuries to drivers. The police believe that these columns have been a significant factor in avoiding fatalities on two occasions. The installation of these columns at further specific locations will reduce the severity of accidents on the highway and allow the collection of more significant data on the effectiveness of these measures.

12.4.2 Reduce Crime and Fear of Crime

The presence of street lighting has been shown to reduce crime. The street lighting service will continue to work with Local Safety Partnerships to install lighting to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

The County Council will improve lighting to encourage the use of commercial, leisure and amenity services. Lighting contributes to the effectiveness of CCTV and encourages the use of public transport, cycling and walking. Lighting is particularly beneficial to vulnerable users including the disabled, the elderly and children.

12.4.3 Improve Access to Essential Services and Social Activities

The County Council will improve lighting to encourage the use of commercial, leisure and amenity services. Lighting contributes to the effectiveness of CCTV and encourages the use of public transport, cycling and walking. Lighting is particularly beneficial to vulnerable users including the disabled, the elderly and children.

12.4.4 Respect Conservation and Special Areas

The use of appropriate lighting maintains and enhances conservation areas and rural areas. The recent Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Campaign for Dark Skies have emphasised the importance of appropriate lighting. The County Council has received an award from the British Astronomical Association for its lighting which minimises the impact of lighting upon the sky at night.

12.4.5 Reduce Environmental Impact

Lancashire County Council's Environmental Management Strategy 2005-2008 and the WEEE directive require that lighting materials are recycled and re-used where possible. Lamps are now recycled rather than being sent to landfill, and ways to increase recycling will be pursued.

The County Council is committed to reducing its energy consumption by 20% over the period 1990 to 2010. By 2004 savings of 12% had been achieved. Several projects have been identified to reduce energy consumption further and achieve the savings required by 2010.

12.4.6 Provide Safe and Effective Delivery

Street lighting will be delivered more efficiently and effectively with the development of better IT systems. Investment in data capture devices and remote monitoring systems will lead to reduced repair times in accordance with the new street lighting performance indicator.

The County Council will ensure that all lighting units in the county are structurally safe. 25% of lighting units in the county are over 30 years old and beyond the end of their design life, consequently they are at risk of structural failure. There have been several structural failures during the period from 2001-2006. The County Council has implemented a programme of structural replacement of lighting units and, working in partnership with District Councils and other bodies, has replaced 8.5% of the lighting columns. This programme will be continued to sustain the asset at existing levels during the LTP2 period.

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