Across the UK, town and parish councils are looking for practical ways to reduce energy costs while maintaining essential community infrastructure. Street lighting often represents one of the largest opportunities to improve efficiency and lower long-term operating costs.

Sprowston Town Council took a proactive approach through a comprehensive upgrade programme. The scheme covered more than 800 Town Council-owned footway lights across the town. Rather than simply replacing ageing lanterns, the project combined a full condition survey with targeted infrastructure improvements to create a more efficient and resilient lighting network.

Working in collaboration with Electrical Testing Ltd (ETL), CU Phosco supplied 866 E950 LED luminaires for the project, with ETL supporting the wider delivery of the scheme through condition assessment, programme coordination and installation works.

The project began with a full condition survey of the existing lighting stock. Nick Wildsmith, Area Sales Manager at CU Phosco, explains: “Taking the time to understand the condition of the existing assets was an important part of the project. The survey allowed any structural or electrical issues to be identified before installation, helping the Town Council maximise the value of its investment.

The E950 combines high efficacy with a long operational life, making it well suited to projects where reducing energy consumption and future maintenance requirements are key priorities.”

The installation programme was delivered in two phases between August and October 2025, with ETL undertaking a full condition survey and the installation works. A central management system formed part of the wider upgrade programme, supporting the Town Council’s future management of the lighting network. The E950’s compatibility with Telensa CMS nodes was an important consideration, providing the flexibility to introduce part-night dimming and other control strategies in the future should the Town Council wish to pursue additional energy savings and reductions in light pollution.

The completed scheme provides Sprowston Town Council with a modern LED street lighting network while delivering tangible benefits for residents.

Energy consumption is expected to reduce by around 70 percent, cutting carbon emissions by an estimated 90 tonnes each year. The longer operating life of the E950 luminaires will also reduce routine maintenance requirements compared with the previous sodium lighting.

This translates to a saving of between £60,000 and £70,000 annually, with the investment expected to pay for itself within two to three years.

Matt McDonald, Account Manager at ETL, commented: “Delivering a project of this scale required detailed planning and careful coordination to minimise disruption for residents while maintaining programme efficiency. Working alongside CU Phosco allowed us to provide a high-quality lighting solution that met the Town Council’s objectives and long-term aspirations for the network.”

Guy Ranaweera, Sprowston Town Council, added: “The LED upgrade programme represents a significant investment in the town’s infrastructure and our commitment to delivering value for residents. The project provides a more efficient and sustainable street lighting network while helping to reduce long-term operating costs and support our wider environmental objectives.”

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Eastbourne has one of the UK’s largest ageing populations. Thousands of residents live with sight impairment or visual accessibility challenges, making safe navigation through busy public spaces an important consideration within the town centre. Street furniture and poorly positioned obstacles can create significant difficulties and reduce confidence when moving around independently.

To help address these challenges, an accessibility-focused streetscape project was developed along the Victoria Place section of Terminus Road. The project was funded by Eastbourne Borough Council using Levelling Up Funds, working with East Sussex Highways, a partnership between Balfour Beatty Living Places and East Sussex County Council who were delivering the scheme The busy pedestrian route connects Eastbourne railway station with the seafront and is heavily used by both residents and visitors. Improving accessibility along this key route became an important part of the wider redevelopment works.

Attention was also given to how lighting columns would appear in different conditions, from bright summer daylight through to darker winter evenings.

James Powis, Key Accounts Manager, CU Phosco explains: “This project was very different from a conventional column installation because accessibility considerations were central to the design process from the outset. Working closely with East Sussex Vision Support allowed the team to better understand the day-to-day challenges faced by blind and partially sighted pedestrians and how street furniture placement and visibility can directly affect confidence and safety within public spaces.

The consultation process included site walk-throughs, discussions around pedestrian movement and demonstrations showing how different visual impairments affect visibility in real-world environments. That feedback played an important role in shaping the final column arrangement and banding approach.”

CU Phosco supplied 21 lighting columns for the pilot scheme. A mixture of 5m and 8m columns were installed throughout the route. To remain in keeping with the wider Eastbourne streetscape aesthetic, the team incorporated Heritage brackets in the final design.

One of the key features of the project was the introduction of yellow banding at multiple heights on the columns. Positioned at head, chest and waist height, the bands were designed to improve visibility for pedestrians with varying levels of sight impairment.

The choice of yellow was informed through consultation with accessibility groups and wider guidance around visual impairment. Yellow is widely recognised as one of the most visible colours for people with reduced vision and remains distinguishable across changing light conditions and varying levels of sight loss.

James continues: “Column placement was another important factor within the scheme. The team carefully considered pathway widths, pedestrian pinch points and the movement of guide dog users to help create a route that felt safer and easier to navigate.

While the project maintained the visual character of the surrounding environment, accessibility remained a priority throughout the design process.”

The completed scheme provides a more accessible pedestrian environment for blind and partially sighted users in the town centre. By improving the visibility of street furniture and carefully considering column positioning, the project aims to increase both physical safety and user confidence within a busy public realm setting.

Steve Saunders, Campaigner Quality and Access Lead from East Sussex Vision Support commented: “You listened. It was important that this approach was carried through so that this seafront town is accessible to all. It makes a massive difference to visually impaired people and we hope to see similar schemes rolled out across East Sussex and beyond.”

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Britannia Quay sits on the north side of Roath Basin in Cardiff Bay, a location shaped by maritime history and ongoing port activity. Positioned close to the Senedd and overlooking active shipping routes, the quay combines historic character with a working waterfront environment.

When concerns were raised about the condition of the existing lighting, it became clear that a straightforward replacement would not be enough. Lanterns were ageing, some units had failed, and the original brackets showed clear signs of corrosion. The Estates team engaged the Highways Streetlighting team for guidance.

As the existing functional lighting columns passed the structural testing procedure, the lighting unit’s lantern and bracket became the main focus and the challenge quickly evolved.

As the original lanterns could not be sourced and their origins were unknown, a like-for-like replacement required careful consideration. The Ealing lantern provided a strong visual match, ensuring continuity across the quay.

Alongside the lantern upgrade, Acrospire designed and refurbished the existing brackets, restoring them to a structurally sound condition while retaining their distinctive form.

The original installation showed clear signs of age, with corrosion across the bracket and deterioration in the lantern housing. Rather than replace outright, the bracket assembly was re-engineered to improve structural integrity and long-term performance, resulting in a cleaner, more refined profile better suited to the coastal environment.

While the new lanterns offer a clear improvement in performance, the upgrade remains visually subtle, preserving the character of the quay without drawing attention to the intervention.

During the design phase, environmental considerations formed an important part of the scheme, particularly around the potential impact of light spill on bats and Cardiff Council’s Biodiversity Duty under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.

As expected for the location, an ecologist identified common and soprano pipistrelles foraging and commuting alongside the dock. In response, the lighting design was adapted to help minimise potential impact on local wildlife while maintaining safe and effective illumination.

A key change was the move from Cardiff’s standard 3000K specification to 2700K, marking the first scheme of its kind in the city. Light spill contours were also carefully assessed during the design process. The lanterns already featured a directional spill bias towards the required areas, which performed positively during on-site evaluation.

Following this assessment, additional front and rear louvres were introduced to further reduce light spill onto surrounding areas and the adjacent waterway.

Together, these measures helped create a solution that balanced ecological considerations with operational and public safety requirements.

The lanterns operate via photocell control, providing a simple and reliable solution suited to the quay environment.

Manufactured in the UK using locally sourced materials, the Ealing lantern combines durability with a reduced carbon footprint. A marine-grade painted finish further supports long-term performance in this exposed coastal setting.

A key factor in the project’s success was the collaborative approach between the Highways team and Acrospire, building on an established working relationship.

The upgrade delivers a clear improvement in both performance and reliability. The transition from SON to LED reduces energy consumption while providing more consistent light output across the quay.

Feedback from both the client and local residents has been positive, with the new lighting integrating seamlessly into its surroundings while delivering a noticeable uplift in quality and performance.

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Halo Points are clearly identifiable, designated safe spaces located across key locations within Liverpool City Centre. There are nine points in total, which are well-lit and highly visible. They provide a place where anyone who feels unsafe, or at risk can seek immediate support, reassurance and practical help. Their visibility acts as a deterrent to offenders, while ensuring those who need help can access it quickly and discreetly. Each point will offer direct contact with emergency services via 999 and will be linked to City Watch CCTV, offering immediate reassurance and rapid intervention by VAWG champions or police officers for anyone feeling vulnerable or in distress.

The launch builds on the earlier introduction of VAWG Champions, who are already embedded across venues and trained to recognise vulnerability, challenge harmful behaviour and respond effectively to incidents such as spiking.

The development of Halo Points follows a Strategic Threat Risk Assessment carried out in 2023, which highlighted that VAWG offences are most likely to occur in busy nightlife areas, town centres and high-footfall locations. Operation Halo has been designed to address this risk through joined-up working between police, Liverpool City Council and licensed premises within the night-time economy.

The initiative is being funded by the Hyper-Local Policing Fund, awarded by the Home Office and secured by Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, and Merseyside Police.

Constable Frank Stevens, Merseyside Police, who came up with the idea, said: “The launch of Halo Points is a significant step forward in our work to tackle violence against women and girls and to keep people safe during a night out in Liverpool. These highly visible points provide immediate reassurance and access to support for anyone who feels vulnerable, while acting as a strong deterrent to offenders.

This work would not be possible without the commitment of our partners, and we would like to thank Liverpool City Council, in particular the Highways team, whose support has been vital in identifying locations, ensuring the Halo Points are clearly visible and accessible. Alongside our VAWG Champions already working across venues, this partnership approach is helping us build a stronger culture of safety across Liverpool’s night‑time economy.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe when enjoying Liverpool’s night‑time economy, and Halo Points are a clear, practical step towards making that happen. These highly visible safe spaces will provide reassurance and rapid access to help for anyone who feels vulnerable or at risk while out in the city.

Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for me, and Operation Halo shows the difference strong partnership working can make. By combining Halo Points with trained VAWG Champions and CCTV coverage, we are strengthening prevention, deterrence, and support, and making it clear that harmful behaviour will not be tolerated.

I’m grateful to the officers, council teams and partners who have helped bring this innovative initiative to life. Together, we are Taking Action to make our city centre even safer and make sure more people, particularly women and girls, can enjoy a night out in Liverpool.”

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene at Liverpool City Council said: “Liverpool is already recognised as one of the safest cities for a night out, as demonstrated by our Purple Flag status. Even so, we remain committed to ending violence against women and girls in our city.

These new Halo Points reinforce our shared commitment to ensuring that everyone can enjoy the city with confidence. No matter what concerns someone may have, they can be assured that there will always be someone available to help and to keep them safe.”

By launching Halo Points and expanding the network of trained VAWG Champions, Merseyside Police and partners are continuing to build a culture of safety across Liverpool’s night-time economy, ensuring more people, particularly women and girls, can enjoy a safer night out.

Carl Williams, Key Account Manager for Signify UK said: “Reliable access to emergency assistance remains an important yet often overlooked component of nighttime safety for women and girls. Halo Points, well-lit, highly visible points across the city centre, marked by distinctive green and white lighting is a great initiative ensuring the city provides a more dependable solution, allowing quick assistance in high-stress situations. We are proud to be the chosen lighting provider for the project, working in partnership with J McCann, contributing towards protecting vulnerable individuals and tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Liverpool’s night-time economy.”

James McDaid, Head of Local Authority at McCann said: “McCann is proud to announce the public launch of Operation Halo, an innovative safety initiative developed in partnership with Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council to help protect vulnerable people within Liverpool’s busy nightlife areas. The scheme introduces a network of highly visible lighting units positioned across key locations in the city, designed to provide an accessible way for individuals to seek help if they feel unsafe or at risk.

This system, developed in collaboration with Signify, are the first of their kind to be deployed in England. McCann, Signify, Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police hope that Operation Halo will not only enhance safety across Liverpool but also serve as a model for wider national adoption, reinforcing a shared commitment to preventing violence and safeguarding communities.”

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In the day, Arnot Hill Park is a celebration of history, art and nature. Curious art trails guide visitors through wood carvings and murals, and the prominent Grade II listed Arnot Hill House overlooks the park’s lake and relaxing ornamental gardens. With no entrance fee, the public park is there for the enjoyment of the local residents and hosts family-friendly events, including the annual Arnold Carnival and Gedling Play Day.

To improve safety in the park at night, William Sugg & Co. was commissioned to supply a total of 36 impressive 30-inch Westminster lanterns, replicating the style of the existing lanterns which were originally supplied by William Sugg & Co. over 20 years before, along with the George IV columns. These lanterns are strategically positioned throughout Arnot Hill Park to achieve comprehensive coverage. The installation encompasses the main entrance road that leads into the car park, all the principal walkway areas weaving through the park, and key locations around the central buildings, which include council offices and leisure facilities. This extensive placement ensures that both key routes and communal spaces are safely lit, creating a welcoming environment for all visitors after dark.

“We’re proud to support local communities in creating beautiful and safer public spaces that everyone can enjoy. Our team are incredibly dedicated to their craft and fostering local pride in the areas where our projects are located. Through our collaboration with the Community Safety Partnership, we were able to boost a cherished green space in the area,” comments Neil Stanton, Managing Director of William Sugg & Co.

The project brief required William Sugg & Co. to respect the park’s heritage whilst introducing the latest sustainable LED technology. In response, the company undertook the replacement of the existing William Sugg & Co. Lanterns and recycled the original copper lanterns, an approach that aligns with Gedling Borough’s commitment to sustainability and the circular economy.

The intervention aimed to improve lighting levels by 25 percent, and to achieve this, William Sugg & Co. provided every new copper lantern with modern LED gear trays. All lanterns were fitted with modern COB (Chip-on-Board) LED area lens technology. This advanced lighting solution allowed light to be lensed and projected in a controlled, circular pattern, focusing illumination downwards onto the park’s paths and open spaces. The result enhanced visibility for park visitors while minimising light pollution in the surrounding environment. The use of copper for the lanterns provides a durable, long-lasting finish that further supports local sustainability goals, ensuring that the lighting solutions will stand the test of time and weather conditions.

The full improvements implemented in Arnot Hill Park, including the installation of heritage-inspired, energy-efficient lighting, enhanced cycle store security and ongoing park maintenance, have delivered tangible benefits for both safety and community wellbeing. These targeted interventions have contributed to a remarkable 57% reduction in house burglaries and a 67 percent drop in vehicle crime in the surrounding area. This successful outcome demonstrates how investment in public realms can create real change for communities. Arnot Hill Park now stands as a strong illustration of how collaborative efforts between local authorities, specialist suppliers, and community partners can create safer, more accessible public spaces that also enhance character and consider the environment.

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Like many local authorities, Bath & North East Somerset Council operates a large network of school hazard warning signs, also known as “wig wags”, across the district. These familiar twin-amber flashing lights are a key part of the school safety toolkit, warning motorists to slow down and be alert during peak drop-off and pick-up times.

With 55 school crossing locations across Bath & North East Somerset, ensuring consistent performance across all locations is vital, especially in locations with limited connectivity. In recent years, the council had experienced issues with signal and control reliability at certain sites, prompting a search for a more flexible, future-proof solution.

Acrospire supplied its UK-manufactured aGlow hazard warning lights to improve road safety outside several schools in Bath & North East Somerset. Designed to meet TSRGD standards, the aGlow unit features twin-amber LED clusters housed in a vandal-resistant, weatherproof enclosure.

Each unit is pole-mounted and includes integrated IoT connectivity, supporting a range of communications options including Bluetooth, NB-IoT and 4/5G LTE. This variety of options helped overcome previous issues with site connectivity and allows the council to manage the system efficiently using app-based controls or other CMS-compatible platforms.

In addition to providing a clear visual warning during peak drop-off and collection times, the system supports the wider School Streets initiative by helping to reduce traffic speeds and improve pedestrian visibility.

The client commented: “We were looking for a solution that would be reliable, adaptable and able to handle the varied site conditions across our school network. The aGlow units provided the flexibility we needed in terms of connectivity, and they’re helping us deliver safer school streets for pupils and parents alike.”

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Metz Way is a vital part of Gloucester’s transport infrastructure, linking residential areas like Abbeymead and Abbeydale to the city centre and playing a central role in the local economy. The route includes key junctions such as Eastern Avenue and provides access to major developments and commuter corridors, including bridges over railway lines.

As part of ongoing routine maintenance, five high masts were identified as nearing the end of their operational life and requiring replacement. Gloucestershire County Council carried out a desktop study to determine the best way forward, concluding that a combination of new high mast lighting and LED street lanterns would provide optimal coverage, particularly in areas where traditional columns were unsuitable due to Network Rail access constraints.

M Group Highways, the council’s maintenance contractor, successfully tendered for the works with a specification that included CU Phosco products. Having worked closely with M Group Highways for several years on mast maintenance across the county, CU Phosco was well placed to support this project through design, manufacture and installation.

The project scope included:

• Design, manufacture and installation of 4 x 20m high masts, each equipped with 6 P855 luminaires and 2 FL800D-2 floodlights
• Supply-only of 16 P862 LED lanterns for street lighting columns
• Removal and disposal of five existing high masts
• Bespoke foundation studs covers designed and installed to protect foundations of decommissioned masts for potential future use
• Pull-off testing of existing studs

With sections of Metz Way elevated above Network Rail infrastructure, careful planning was required to manage access and ensure safe working conditions. CU Phosco worked to tight deadlines to minimise disruption to local traffic and reduce the impact on ongoing development and transport routes in the area.

The lighting infrastructure upgrade has delivered a compliant and modern lighting solution that improves visibility and safety for all road users. The use of energy-efficient LED lanterns and future-ready high mast infrastructure reduces ongoing maintenance requirements and supports Gloucestershire County Council’s long-term strategy for resilient, sustainable public lighting.

The retention and protection of foundations for potential future reuse reflects a practical and resource-conscious approach to asset management. Meanwhile, the collaboration between CU Phosco and M Group Highways ensured a smooth delivery process from design through to installation.

Jack Benham, Project Manager at M Group Highways, commented: “Metz Way is a key artery into Gloucester, and this scheme needed to be delivered quickly and with minimal disruption. Working with CU Phosco, we were able to provide Gloucestershire County Council with a robust, energy-efficient lighting solution. Their high mast expertise and ability to deliver on challenging access requirements were instrumental to the success of this project.”

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The 13-digit UMSUG (or charge) codes are assigned to individual solutions, and enable the Unmetered Supplies Operator (UMSO) and Meter Administrator (MO) to accurately calculate the electricity usage for each unique luminaire.

The codes allow for accurate billing when unmetered supplies are being used, and the usage has to therefore be calculated by the network operators. The use of the codes enables the accurate calculation of energy consumption, which in turn reduces the risk of over or under payments for the amount of electricity used.

Using charge codes also supports improved operational efficiency. Not only does it save time and resources when compared to metered applications, it also allows for better auditing of equipment and forward planning with regard to energy consumption and maintenance.

LEDVANCE’s range of streetlighting solutions have the ability to save significant levels of energy – up to 60 percent – when used instead of conventional HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lamps. LEDVANCE offers within the UMSUG Program 17 different LED replacement products for HID conventional Lamps, like HQL (High-Intensity Quantum Dots) LED and NAV LED, in different sizes, light colours and wattages, with a light output up to 11 700 lumen.

Nelo Neves, Managing Director from LEDVANCE said: “By adopting UMSUG codes for a wide range of our streetlights, we are simplifying billing for many of our clients. There are many reasons to switch to LED streetlights for energy efficiency and improved lighting; and the addition of UMSUG codes makes the LEDVANCE solutions even more appealing.”

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With over 30 years of experience in the solar and street lighting sector, Pecan Lighting is a trusted name across Australia, known for delivering high-quality, low-maintenance lighting solutions for councils, developers, and commercial clients. Based in South Australia with national coverage, Pecan Lighting will represent CU Phosco’s entire product portfolio, supporting both new and existing customers with local technical knowledge and dedicated service.

The partnership will be led by Keith Henry, CU Phosco’s General Manager – Lighting and Telecommunication, Australia, working closely with the team at Pecan Lighting to provide comprehensive support for lighting projects across the country.

Keith Henry, General Manager – Lighting and Telecommunication, Australia, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Pecan Lighting as our official distributor in Australia. Their deep industry knowledge, commitment to quality, and reputation for customer service make them an ideal partner. This collaboration ensures that customers across Australia have easier access to CU Phosco’s industry-leading lighting and telecommunication solutions, backed by experienced local support.”

Paul Rodda, General Manager at Pecan Lighting, added: “Pecan Lighting has a long history of delivering advanced street and solar LED lighting solutions tailored to the Australian market. We’re excited to represent CU Phosco and bring their proven product range to our clients. Together, we can offer even more robust, reliable, and sustainable lighting infrastructure to projects nationwide.”

This distributor partnership highlights CU Phosco’s ongoing commitment to growing its international presence while ensuring customers benefit from local expertise and trusted relationships. With Pecan Lighting on board, CU Phosco is well-positioned to support a wide range of lighting and infrastructure projects in Australia, from urban streetscapes to remote highways, ports, and major developments.

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The Joe Calzaghe Footbridge — a vital pedestrian and cyclist link in Newbridge, South Wales — connects the town centre with its railway station, leisure centre and comprehensive school. Originally built in 2009 as part of a regeneration initiative, the bridge plays a key role in supporting sustainable travel and reconnecting parts of the community previously divided by the railway and river.

However, over a decade on, lighting issues had started to compromise the safety and usability of this well-used footbridge. The original illuminated handrail system was failing, and a new solution was urgently required.

Working with Caerphilly County Borough Council, Acrospire provided a targeted retrofit solution to address the bridge’s most problematic lighting sections. The project involved multiple site trials to ensure compatibility with the original design and meet the council’s safety and aesthetic requirements.

Acrospire supplied 40 3-Pod and 30 6-Pod linear LED modules in a 4,000K neutral white. These were engineered to fit precisely within the existing recessed sections of the bridge handrail, allowing seamless integration without structural alterations.

Thanks to their flexible beam orientation and glare control, the new units deliver enhanced visual clarity for users while minimising light spill onto adjacent habitats.

Importantly, only one-third of the bridge was retrofitted with new units, allowing the council to redeploy salvaged working fixtures to other failing sections — maximising efficiency and extending the life of the original system.

The result is a more reliable, more efficient, and safer lighting scheme that respects both the architectural integrity and ecological sensitivity of the site.

Gareth Fleming, Senior Engineer, Street Lighting, Caerphilly County Borough Council commented: “The retrofit lighting scheme delivered by Acrospire for the Joe Calzaghe Footbridge is an excellent example of quality engineering and collaborative working. The custom-built LED modules have been seamlessly integrated into the existing structure, preserving the visual appeal of the bridge while significantly improving safety and reliability. Acrospire’s commitment to delivering a tailored solution through detailed site trials and precise manufacturing has resulted in a high-standard installation that enhances both pedestrian safety and the bridge’s aesthetic appeal.”

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