Milton Keynes to introduce LED lighting to underpasses

New LED lighting is to be installed in Milton Keynes' underpasses as part of a project to make them brighter, more visible and safer for those who live in the city.

The council will be using the latest lighting technology to undertake an energy saving conversion of all underpass lighting across the city, due to be completed by the end of the year.

Under the proposed plan, a total of 3,400 LED lights will be installed, saving the council an estimated £93,000 per year through energy costs and providing better illumination for those who uses the underpasses both during the day and at night.

Compared to conventional fluorescent lamps that require regular upkeep and more frequent replacement, the new LED light bulbs are expected to last for around ten years and should only require minimal maintenance.

“The new LED lights will provide a cleaner, greener source of lighting for people using our underpasses," said Councillor John Bint, portfolio holder for highways and transportation.

"We hope that these improvements also go a long way towards making people feel safer when using the underpasses and will encourage greater usage of our redway network, which is currently under used by cyclists and pedestrians alike."

The council has also been looking at additional ways to cut back on running costs and is considering turning off the lights during the hours of daylight when illumination is not required.

Not only will this help the council save a bit of cash, but it will also help them up their eco-credentials and go further to becoming a green city.

The move comes after the council announced an initiative to introduce wirelessly charged electric buses to enable cleaner, quieter public transport in the area, and is sure to be another eco-friendly project welcomed by councillors and residents alike.