WORK is about to begin on a £5m scheme to replace all of Hartlepool’s street lights.

A total of 13,644 lanterns are to be swapped for modern new LED lights, while a number of old concrete columns are also to be replaced.

The cost of the scheme, which is expected to take around nine months to complete, will be covered by energy cost savings and reduced maintenance bills.

Councillor Peter Jackson, chairman of Hartlepool Council’s neighbourhood services committee, said: “The Council currently spends around £790,000 a year on electricity charges to illuminate its street lights, signs and bollards.

“With current local government spending cuts also continuing to bite, it has been a priority to consider energy-efficient alternatives with improved technology to try and reduce energy consumption and control costs.

“LED lighting has been identified as the solution to rising energy costs by substantially reducing energy consumption whilst also reducing maintenance costs by utilising new technology that comes with a guarantee of over 20 years.”