SINN Féin councillor Sharon Benson submitted a request for a special meeting of Limerick City and County Council to discuss concerns regarding the quality of street lighting in Limerick City.
She made the call following concerns raised by residents about the quality of new street lighting.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, Cllr Benston said that “over the last number of weeks, I have received numerous calls from residents across the city regarding the quality of street lighting in residential areas”.
“Following calls from residents in Kileely, I visited the area and it was in near darkness, the new lights are far too dim to be safe.
“I am extremely concerned that this lack of lighting in residential areas is a risk to residents, particularly our more senior citizens.”
The installation of the new lights is part of the PLEEP (Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Programme).
The Sinn Féin councillor added that she has “major concerns, not only about the quality of these new lamps, but also regarding whether this change has delivered the cost savings that Council officials projected when the agreement was signed in 2020”.
“In 2020, I queried the cost of installing 5,200 streetlights across the city. At the time the Council agreed to borrow €12million to replace all streetlights with LED lamps. The response I received did not answer the question on costs, it appeared at the time that the Council did not know the costs.
“I am calling for a special meeting of Limerick Council to discuss this pressing issue. We need to discuss both the quality of the new lighting in residential areas and whether the Section 85 agreement delivered value for money.
“I stated in 2020 that this massive loan was going to impact the Council for the next 15 years. It seems at this juncture the PLEEP scheme is not delivering for Limerick residents despite the financial cost.
“We were told in 2020 that the rollout of lights would be completed in two years, five years later and the roll out has yet to be completed.
“They advised it would deliver value for money, but from the lighting in some city estates, it seems neither value for money or a quality product has been delivered.”
Cllr Benson hit out that “we have residential areas in near complete darkness, despite the presence of streetlights. In the heart of winter such a poor product poses a risk to people’s security and wellbeing. Answers are needed from the Council about both the quality and cost of these streetlamps.”