STREET LIGHTS GOING GREEN IN MILTON ERNEST

Work to upgrade street lights in Milton Ernest is underway as part of plans to introduce part night lighting.

At the request of residents, local councillors and the parish council, Bedford Borough Council is upgrading street lighting in Milton Ernest with more energy efficient bulbs which will also turn off between the hours of midnight and 5.30am.

This will save £1,238 per year in energy costs as well as 7.6 tonnes of carbon.

Milton Ernest is the first part of Bedford Borough to receive part night lighting. The new lanterns produce a brighter and whiter light, are more energy efficient and have a lifespan of approximately 8 years, much more than the older 'yellow' street lights. The new lights will be programmed to turn on at dusk, before switching off between midnight and 5.30am. They will then turn back on after 5.30am and stay on until sunrise.

The work is in line with the Council's Carbon Reduction Strategy, which includes the pledge to cut carbon emissions by 10% this year and the aspirational target of a 40% cut by 2020.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "The Council is responsible for more than 14,000 street lights across the borough. It is therefore vital we investigate ways to ensure our lights are running as efficiently and as economically as possible. This includes invest-to-save opportunities by installing much better and brighter lighting.

"However, as previously publicised we have also offered parish councils the opportunity to turn off or dim their street lighting during quiet periods. None of these changes are being forced on local residents and we will only act where local parish councils or residents have asked us to make changes.

"I hope Milton Ernest can become a shining example to other parts of the borough by updating its street lighting in line with its residents wishes while reducing their carbon footprint and energy costs for local taxpayers."