North Yorkshire Council has replaced street lanterns around Harrogate as part of plans to combat rising energy costs.
Residents react as council replaces Harrogate street lanterns North Yorkshire Council has replaced street lanterns around Harrogate as part of plans to combat rising energy costs. But the move has proved unpopular with Harrogate residents, who have questioned the impact on the "heritage of the town." Last year the council revealed it would be replacing all concrete columns, obsolete brackets and non-LED lanterns in North Yorkshire over a three-year period - at a cost of £2.49 million. It’s part of plans to mitigate against the risk of increasing energy costs, with anticipated savings of £440,000. Plans were agreed at a meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s executive in September last year. Speaking at the time, Cllr Greg White, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for climate change said:
“The installation of LED streetlights would be a significant milestone in our move to a greener future, forming part of our commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030. “The new LED lanterns are designed to reduce light pollution while reducing energy consumption with no decrease in performance. “The replacement of older, inefficient lanterns should result in fewer defects together with reduced ongoing maintenance.”Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, said:
“The efficiency of our streetlights is critical in keeping people safe. “Fitting LEDs will ensure there are fewer unforeseen failures which are costly, a burden on resources and leave residents in the dark.”But the new lanterns have not gone down well with residents. Uploading a photo of the work to social media, one resident said:
"Sad from an historical view and Harrogate’s heritage. I understand the need to save cost but they hardly enhance the heritage of the town."A second resident said:
“Shame! What is the Council trying to do? Harrogate looks like it's slowly losing its wonderful and beautiful charm.Another added:
“Such ugly things. It's a shame the old ones couldn't be saved.”Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
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