I reported the light in my road and it’s still not been fixed. Why has nobody been around to repair the light?
Street light repairs are made on a priority basis, with highest priority being given to faults presenting the greatest risk.
It may also be that our team has been out and a cable fault has been found underground. This will need to be fixed by Scottish Power, which will unfortunately make the repair time longer.
I reported a broken or faulty street light, what happens next?
The faulty street light is referred to our contractor for inspection. If the fault is easily repairable it will be fixed on that visit. Repairs are made on a priority basis, with highest priority being given to faults presenting the greatest risk.
I read in the paper that you had £4.6 million to fix and replace all street lights. What’s happening?
A huge programme to replace and improve all street lights in Wirral began in 2017 to fit the new energy efficient LED light bulbs within previous contracts.
In August 2019 a contract was awarded which will see more than £10 million invested in Wirral’s streetlight infrastructure, to replace 26,000 street lights with LED lamps and 9,200 streetlight columns. The project was completed in March 2022 and replaced approximately 25,000 lights and 10,000 lamp post columns.
How will you decide what street lights will be fixed first?
Highest priority is given to faults presenting a greatest risk. For example if there is only one light out in a road that contains many street lights then will not be considered as a priority. If there are two or three lights in a road and one is off that will be considered a priority.
Where can I see when my light will be fixed?
Currently there is no facility for monitoring the progress of a street lighting repair. Lights are repaired in order of priority.
When you report a faulty light, our system will check if the light has already been reported. If it has, there’s no need to report it again.
The new street lights are too bright
The new lights use white light and the brightness is set to national standards and guidelines. The light is focussed on pavements and roads meaning people can see better at night.
The new street lights aren’t bright enough
The light is focussed on pavements and roads and not on residential properties. In some locations street lights have been dimmed to make them more energy efficient.
A street light is on all day. How do I report it?
Report a problem with a street light
I’ve heard that the new lights are bad for your health
That’s not true. Our own LED lantern choices have been rigorously evaluated based on recommended regulations and research on health and exposure to light.
How many street lights were replaced?
Approximately 26,000 lights.
When the lamp posts were removed and replaced, what will happen to the old equipment?
Wherever possible they will be recycled. Where that is not possible they will be disposed of responsibly.
Are the new street lights fitted with 5g technology?
No.
Do the street lights have the option to be upgraded to have 5G technology at a future date?
Any lighting infrastructure can be converted to incorporate 5G but there are no plans to do so.
What is the transmitter on top of the street light for?
The LED lanterns fitted previously in Phase 1 on main roads are fitted with nodes that look like a small antenna. They provide data to our central management system. The new lighting to be fitted in Phase 2 on minor and residential roads will not have this technology.
Are the new street lights safe?
Yes, all the lighting will be fully compliant with the relevant industry safety standards.
Do the street lights have CCTV cameras fitted in them?
No.
Do the street lights have the facility to charge electric vehicles?
No, but the council will be discussing with the contractor whether charging facilities can be fitted later at certain locations.