Street Lighting Modernisation Project Update
Contract Progress
As you will be aware, the street lighting modernisation project is converting approx 47,000 street lights to
LED across the county and also replacing approx 16,000 lighting columns. The project is being carried out
by Galliford Try and is now in its third year with approximately 68% of works complete on the ground.
The remaining works include both the installation of new lanterns and columns in new project areas and the
contractor returning to resolve any outstanding works which could not be completed during the initial lantern
or column replacement activity. This involves work in nearly all communities across the County. We had
been working with the contractor so that they would produce a full programme for these remaining works so
that information could be provided to local communities about the expected programme for completion of
the project in their area.
Recent Developments
Unfortunately we have recently been informed of significant issues within Galliford Try’s sub-contract supply
chain, with their main sub-contractor for electrical and civil engineering works, having gone into
administration and ceased work on the contract. This means that nearly all work on the project has been
halted whilst Galliford Try procure new suppliers.
Next steps
The County Council is continuing to attend to any faults and safety issues on the street lighting network
through its own normal operations. These should continue to be reported through the normal website and
contact centre reporting mechanisms.
With regard to the street lighting modernisation project, Galliford Try are still continuing some works through
a separate sub-contractor in areas of Ashington, Bedlington and Blyth on column installation and in Berwick
on areas where excavations had been commenced but works not completed. All other lantern and column
replacement work has been halted whilst Galliford Try re-procure new sub-contractor arrangements for the
remainder of the works. Galliford Try are currently procuring these new arrangements with a view to having
them in place by mid October and being able to re-commence works in mid to late November. Once new
arrangements are in place Galliford Try will be required to provide a works programme which will allow
information to be provided to Councillors and local communities about the timescale for completion of the
remainder of the project in their area.
Clearly we are disappointed that these issues have arisen on the project and we are doing all we can to
work with Galliford Try to successfully complete the project at the earliest possible time. We expect to be
able to provide a further update in November and will provide further information on Galliford Try’s
proposed programme to complete all the works as soon as it is available. In the meantime, if you have any
queries please see the appropriate contact details below:-
For day to day street lighting issues/outages - please contact
0nline - mapreport.northumberland.gov.uk/streetlighting/
Or by phone 0345 600 6400
For specific issues in relation to this update - please contact:- David Laux at
david.laux@northumberland.gov.uk