Work starts on new energy efficient lighting at multi-storey car parks

Date issued: 23 July 2020

On Monday 27 July, work will begin to install new energy efficient LED lighting within St Mary’s and St John’s multi-storey car parks.

The new lighting, which will replace existing fluorescent lighting, is more energy efficient and gives a better quality of light, improving both the lighting levels and general ambience within both car parks.

The estimated total CO2 emission saving will be close to 100 tonnes per year, with the new lighting saving annually 103,421 kWh at St Mary’s car park, the equivalent of 55 tonnes of CO2, and 78700kWh at St John’s car park, the equivalent of 42 tonnes of CO2.
 
Savings due to the increased energy efficiency of the LED fittings and the lower maintenance requirements for LED lighting will total approximately £21,000 per year, meaning the project will pay for itself in just over five years.

The project will take approximately 3 weeks to complete, with specific areas of each car park cordoned off each day to allow the works to be undertaken safely, whilst also ensuring minimal disruption to the operation of the car parks.
 
Cllr Mike Lilley, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities, Wellbeing and Public Safety, said: “We are constantly striving to improve our car park facilities across the borough. It’s important that the council’s car parks have both a positive impact on the environment and on the parking experience of our customers. This lighting not only provides significant energy savings and lower maintenance requirements, but an improved quality of lighting for our car park customers too.”
Colchester Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Resources, Cllr David King, added: “It is essential that we do all we can to make the experience of working and shopping in Colchester comfortable, secure and welcomed. That's good for business also. So, we are pleased to continue to make investments in our car parks when it also reduces our carbon footprint. This new energy efficient lighting will see a significant reduction in CO2 emissions – yet another contribution to our work towards being carbon neutral by 2030 and making a Better Colchester for all.”

The project, estimated to cost £114,000, is being funded partly from the council’s Carbon Management Programme.