COUNCIL SHOULD DO MORE TO CUT ENERGY COSTS ON STREET LIGHTING

10.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Apr 2008

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has today written to Solihull Council calling on them to do more to combat soaring energy costs for street lighting.

Mrs Burt wrote to the Council on behalf of a constituent to find out the changes in maintenance and energy costs for the past three years.

Whereas the budget for street lighting maintenance has fallen from £929,780 in 2005 to £814,890 in 2007, the cost of energy over the same period has soared from £655,116 to £940,850.

Lorely Burt MP said:

"There is a golden opportunity for the council to win on two fronts here, by cutting energy costs so that money saved can be spent on other services, and reducing CO2 emissions to help combat global warming.

"I am urging the Council to look at some of the new technologies that are coming on stream that allow street lighting to be dimmed and turned off and on by remote control.

"With energy prices continuing to soar, this could be a win-win for the Council and a potential saving for hard pressed council tax payers."