6:11pm Thursday 30th October 2008
By Tristan Kirk
MILLIONS of pounds is being invested in replacing thousands of street lights across Harrow.
The government has given Harrow Council permission to enter into a £32m Private Finance Initiative (PFI) to replace the borough's aging lighting system, installing new lights will last for the next 25 years.
Two thirds of the existing streets, which have been in place for around 40 years, will be removed as part of the scheme, and replaced with energy efficient lights which will be cheaper to run and illuminate the streets better.
New lights will be put into poorly lit areas, such as near bridges and subways and away from roads, in a bid to reduce the potential for crime.
Councillor Tony Ferrari, in charge of large contracts, welcome the government's announcement today.
He said: “This is an opportunity to really reconsider the way we light Harrow.
“It is an important chance to lower the level of power consumption and minimise costs from street lighting.”
The money, which has partially been given by the government on the grounds it is used in a PFI, will be invested in around 14,000 new lights and illuminated signs on the borough's roads.
They will be installed over a five-year period starting in May 2010, and the council is now looking for companies who want to bid to carry out the work.
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