Milestone Infrastructure, a part of M Group Services, has completed its energy-saving LED street lighting rollout on behalf of Surrey County Council.
Milestone’s Street Lighting Team has converted 89,000 LED Lanterns across the network, as part of the project, which commenced in 2020.
Working with Surrey County Council to bring increased environmental improvements to the county, the existing High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting units and Compact Fluorescent lighting have been switched to modern LED replacements.
LED lighting uses 30-40% less energy than traditional streetlights. They last longer than other historic lighting options, such as low-pressure sodium, high pressure sodium and HID lamps. LED lighting also provides improved visibility for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, while reducing light pollution into surrounding homes and gardens.
This replacement has ensured a 65% reduction in energy usage across the network, while reducing carbon emissions.
As part of its commitment to create innovative solutions for its clients, Milestone introduced an innovative bespoke gear tray, consisting of the key electrical components for 65,000 Philips Libre style lanterns. The introduction of the gear tray allows existing street lighting lanterns to be reused meaning a huge reduction in waste materials.
For lanterns that were unable to hold the gear tray solution, or in need of replacement, the old streetlights were stripped down and recycled, using the WEEE waste systems in place with its supply chain.
The project is on target to deliver a 16 million KW/Hr saving in energy, reducing the councils operating costs.
As part of the commitment to carbon saving, part night lighting has been introduced. On estate roads only, street lighting is turned off at 1am and back on at 5am. This has led to both an energy and cost saving.
Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said:
“I am delighted that our major investment in converting all 89,000 of Surrey’s street lights to energy-efficient LEDs is now complete. This was part of our commitment to reduce our energy consumption to support the council’s 2050 net zero target and also to reduce costs to benefit taxpayers.
(Pic: Milestone Infrastructure)
