Car park users will soon benefit from a higher standard of illumination as work begins on a new energy efficient LED lighting system at the multi storey car park at Westmorland Shopping Centre in Kendal.
A site survey identified Westmorland Shopping Centre Car Park as a site with a significant opportunity to save money and carbon by looking at alternative lighting methods.
Work will commence on 9 September following the announcement by Westmorland and Furness Council that the contract for the design, installation, testing and commissioning of the new lighting system has been awarded to Colin Briscoe Construction Limited.
The project will be completed in phases to allow the majority of the car park to remain in use, with sectional closures for each stage to ensure the safety of those carrying out the works and car park users. A traffic and pedestrian management programme will be in place throughout the project. Works will start with the removal of the existing luminaires and include replacing distribution boards and circuit breakers, adding an additional 154 luminaires and 118 extra emergency lights to achieve required lux levels.
Cllr Giles Archibald, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services said:
“Installing energy efficient lighting comes within the scope of projects the council can influence in our drive to reach a net zero position by 2037, as part of our 5 year Climate Action Plan. The plan identifies suitable actions the council can take across the organisation to reduce emissions, reduce environmental inequalities and create a climate positive council culture, building on the council’s ‘ecologically aware’ value. Each individual project takes us one step closer towards this goal.”
Cllr Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Assets, said:
"This project will bring many benefits, improving safety and lighting for car park users and also increasing the standard of illumination to meet current regulations for multistorey carparks. The environmental and financial benefits mean that the capital cost of the works is expected to be offset through reduced energy costs.”
It is anticipated that the new energy efficient lighting system will be installed over the next 6 months.