WIRRAL Council has chosen SSE Enterprise Ltd to carry out the second phase of its LED streetlight upgrade work.

The firm has been awarded the contract, subject to contract and completion of procurement processes.

The two-year programme, which starts in September, aims to replace a further 26,000 streetlights by Autumn 2021.

Almost 9,000 streetlights have been fitted with the new energy efficient LED light bulbs within previous contracts.

Council leader, Cllr Pat Hackett, said: "Awarding the second phase of the LED contract ensures that we make continued investments in the borough's street lighting infrastructure to benefit Wirral's residents.

"By fitting our streetlights with LED bulbs we will improve our street-lighting network by minimising future energy use and reducing carbon emissions, creating a more efficient, reliable and environmentally conscious network."

Moving to LED lights will also result in annual savings due to lower maintenance costs, with LED lights being longer-lasting than the previous sodium equivalents.

The contract, which will see more than £10 million invested in Wirral's streetlight infrastructure, also aims to replace 9,200 streetlight columns by Autumn 2021, follows a condition survey of Wirral's 35,000 light columns.

The borough-wide investment came about after cabinet, last year, approved a successful bid of £4.6 million through an interest free loan from not-for-profit company SALIX as well as £5.95 million Council Capital funding.

A council spokesman said this programme will follow on from the continued reactive work that has taken place over the summer.

Due to the recent increase in capacity, work on Wirral’s streetlights has more than doubled from previous years with over 60 jobs now being carried out across the borough each day.

Council leader Pat Hackett added: "The continued work is invaluable as it will help residents feel safer, improve access to transport and create jobs, while using less power and being better for the environment.

"By awarding the second phase of the LED contract for the borough's streetlighting, Wirral Council continues to improve the efficiency of its services and deliver an infrastructure fit for the future."