Traditional new lamps for old (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Traditional new lamps for old

10:28am Friday 24th August 2012 in Romsey

A STREETLIGHT replacement scheme in Romsey will strive to protect the town centre’s historic character.

Hampshire County Council says the eco-friendly and energy efficient lighting programme, which comes to the town in the autumn, will include restoring lights in the heart of Romsey or replacing them with heritage style lighting.

Of the 442 town centre streetlights, a total of 228 will get the specialised lighting.

Consultation has been carried out with local councils and heritage officers to determine locations for installing the new heritage style lighting columns, which will be on more than 30 roads within the Romsey Conservation Area.

Around 126 standard lighting columns will be replaced with the new heritage style ones, while 20 existing cast iron historic lights will be restored.

A further 82 modern heritage style lights will either be replaced or have their lanterns changed.

Lighting in areas outside the conservation areas will be replaced or upgraded with standard columns.

In total 1,161 lighting posts and 507 lanterns are being replaced or upgraded in the town as part of a wider £120m five-year street lighting improvement and upgrade scheme across Hampshire, in partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy.

The initiative began in 2010, and has already tackled lighting in Eastleigh, Hedge End, Winchester and Gosport.

So far 38,500 units have been replaced or changed of the planned 150,000.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We have been working closely with Test Valley Borough Council and local heritage officers to ensure the historic character of Romsey’s old streets is preserved for future generations, but with the added benefit of the latest lighting technology.”

He said both styles of lighting will lead to lower energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and mean clearer white light directed onto roads and pavements.