The presentation by the Assistant Highway Manager updates members of the meeting on the conservation area street lighting - the installation of LED lanterns between September and December 2019.
Minutes:
The presentation by the Assistant Highway Manager updated Members on the conservation area street lighting - the installation of LED lanterns between September and December 2019.
An email from the Senior Asset Manager, P Simpson (HCC) circulated to district and county members in early October 2019 advised of the status and project:
• Standard LED lighting was currently being installed in sites that met criteria
• CU Phosco P107 (which had a LED lantern with an opaque bowl mounted on a post) would be installed December 2019 and were being used across WGC conservations areas bar the town centre.
• Heritage lighting would installed December 2019/January 2020
• The majority of lights would be CU Phosco P107 post tops
Members noted that the criteria for side entry LED units (street lights with arms) was:
• Where existing side entry lanterns were originally installed on newer residential developments, such as Rooks Close.
• Where existing side entry lanterns were originally installed on local collector roads (higher columns typically 8 to 10 metres in height), such as Longcroft Lane.
• Where the first column (typically 8 to 10 metres in height), located in a residential road which was directly off a local collector road had a side entry lantern as part of the original design requirements, such as the junction of Rooks Hill and Fordwich Road.
• Where post top lanterns had been mounted onto higher columns (typically 8 to 10 metres in height), located on local collector roads, such as Rooks Hill.
During discussion, the following points were raised :
Some Members had not received the email from the Senior Asset Manager at HCC, P Simpson, which had been circulated to district and county Members in early October 2019 advising of the status and Led Lighting project.
The chairman was aware that there had been concerns about the LED installation and the nature of the lighting. The colour of the LED would be bright white light and experience had showed (such as Valley Road) that although there might have been initial dislike from residents they had grown accustomed to them.
Officers confirmed the benefits of LED lights - use of offside entry LED lights enabled direct light over the carriageway and therefore improved road safety. In addition that LED lights required less power and therefore despite investment of £6-7 million there would be a financial benefit.
Some Members raised concerns about the health risks of using LED lights and Officers confirmed that there was no conclusive data on the issue.
Whether the lack of consistency locally could be addressed which was also a concern of the Welwyn Garden City Society.
Members highlighted that the Conservation areas also included King George IV, Beehive and the new Pear Tree area in Welwyn Garden City. Officers agreed to check with Senior Asset Manager at HCC, P.Simpson, that they were included although it was understood that borough Planning Officers had been in engaged with early on in the process to ensure that all Conservation Areas were included. It was subsequently confirmed that the aforementioned areas were all included in the Conservation areas.