Sandwell’s streets and pavements are being lit up by thousands of new smart streetlights that will save cash and cut carbon emissions.

Over the next three years, Sandwell Council will install more than 7,000 of the new energy-saving LED lights, which can also be centrally controlled, altered and monitored – unlike old-fashioned lamps.

The announcement comes as part of Sandwell Council’s #HighwaysWeek – a week of activity highlighting the work of the council’s road safety, maintenance, parking, street lighting and other teams. Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport Councillor Jackie Taylor said:

“We’ll have already installed 4,000 of the new lights by 2020 and we’ve committed to make that 11,000 in total by 2022.

“The new streetlights allow us to control light levels depending on location, we’re able to record power consumption and we’ll be alerted when there’s a fault with an individual lamppost. Not only will this save money, it also helps us reduce our carbon footprint."

The new streetlights are supplied by Telensa. Will Gibson, founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Telensa, said:

“We are delighted to have been chosen by Sandwell to play an instrumental role in their connected street lighting project and look forward to working with the council to ensure a smooth transition to the new technology."