The Cedars car park in Uxbridge and Blyth Road car park in Hayes have undergone lighting upgrades as part of Hillingdon Council’s efforts to improve visitor safety and enhance energy efficiency.
Following the successful lighting improvements at the Grainges car park in Uxbridge earlier this year, these two locations are the latest to receive the upgrades.
The introduction of a new 24-volt intelligent lighting system not only contributes to energy savings and reduced carbon emissions but also addresses residents’ concerns regarding safety by ensuring bright and evenly distributed lighting during nighttime hours.
At The Cedars, the implementation of the new lighting system is projected to result in energy savings of approximately 85,000 kilowatt-hours per year, along with a reduction of carbon emissions amounting to 18.87 tonnes. This reduction is equivalent to approximately 19 transatlantic flights.
While the Blyth Road car park is smaller in size, the primary focus of the lighting upgrades there is to enhance security. Despite having fewer lights compared to The Cedars, Blyth Road now boasts 50 per cent more lights than before, all while generating energy and cost savings.
The lighting system in both car parks is remotely monitored by the council, enabling the programming of individual light fittings to a predetermined brightness level. This “smart” system also incorporates a self-reporting feature, capable of alerting authorities in the event of a power failure and subsequently activating a backup power system. This ensures that emergency lighting can be provided for up to nine hours during such situations.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services at Hillingdon Council, expressed the council’s commitment to creating a safer and more sustainable borough while delivering value for residents. He stated, “These new lighting systems have the immediate benefit of providing well-lit spaces where people can feel safer, and the longer-term benefit of reduced carbon emissions and running costs, allowing us to achieve our carbon reduction targets.”
Looking ahead, the Civic Centre car parks in Uxbridge are next in line for lighting upgrades. These improvements will further contribute to cost and energy savings while supporting the council’s aspirations of becoming carbon neutral. The work is scheduled to commence in the autumn and is expected to be completed by spring 2024.
