Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced a major step forward in energy saving LED street lighting across Northern Ireland with a major pilot scheme in Banbridge and Craigavon.

Over the next eight months, around 20,000 LED street lights will be installed in the area.

There are considerable savings to be made in energy and maintenance costs from LED lighting. The LED units last longer and they consume less energy than conventional lanterns.

Danny Kennedy said: “In these financially challenging times, it is important that every effort is made to make savings and reduce costs without impacting on the public.

“Street lighting energy and maintenance costs are very significant, costing in excess of £13million every year for my Department. Over the last number of years, small pockets of LED street lighting have been introduced across Northern Ireland.”

“Whilst relatively large sums of capital investment are required initially, immediate returns on running costs are achieved with a pay back on the investment expected after eight years.

“Whilst my resource budget has been reduced, I have decided that we must not lose this opportunity to start introducing LED lights on a wider scale to achieve the future cost savings they will bring.

“The LED street light pilot project across Banbridge and Craigavon areas aims to replace around 20,000 existing lights. This is a very significant investment and, as my budget permits, I will continue to introduce similar schemes across Northern Ireland.”