As a resort renowned for its illuminations, Great Yarmouth is about to make significant strides in putting its street lighting in order.
Work has started on a major project to complete the replacement of an initial 50 lighting columns, including four in the Market Place where areas have been left in the dark for many months.
The improvement programme is being undertaken by Acle-based Electrical Testing following its recently awarded Lloyds' accreditation as an Independent Connection Provider (ICP), allowing the company to provide an alternative to the electricity supplier and undertake 'live' jointing on the electricity network.
"It's much more efficient and means we get the best possible value for the work - which is great news for the borough council and its taxpayers," said George Jarvis, building and engineering manager for GYB services, Norse, which is overseeing the programme.
"Electrical Testing is working closely with us to get the job done and we can now tell the public what is happening and when. For some time it has been frustrating for them and for us - and the unlit areas of the Market Place were a concern for the traders and for general security in the darker months.
"The public were particularly concerned not only to see old light columns not working but the replacement ones next to them not working either. Now they can be connected, old or redundant columns removed and the lights will go on again."
He said they were pleased to be working with a local company with its strong lines of communication.
Greg Jarvis, account manager for Electrical Testing's ICP business, said they were delighted to bring significant cost savings and a much better communication channel to the borough council.
"We're also pleased to be working on our own patch and to bring important benefits to people in Great Yarmouth," he added.
Previously such work could only be carried out by distribution network operators, formerly the regional electricity boards.
http://www.electricaltesting.co.uk
