The roads and transportation SPC is to write to the Commission for Energy Regulation to see if tariffs could be reduced if the local authority becomes more energy efficient in its provision of public lighting.
This proposal was put forward by chair of the SPC Councillor Jarlath Munnelly and seconded by his party colleague Cllr Patsy O’Brien at Monday’s meeting. Current energy efficient schemes in the county include the installation of LED lights on the two and a half kilometre railway walk in Westport and also in the E street project in Charlestown.
At present there are 8,500 public lights for Mayo County Council and a combined total of 2,500 for the town councils. The council is also in control of school flashing lights for 116 schools in the county and navigational aids at sea.
Fine Gael councillor Patsy O’Brien queried whether public lights can be fixed promptly due to the number of complaints he has received. He was informed that Airtricity Utility Solutions Ltd, which has taken over the contract since December, will provide feedback and reports on how long it will take to fix lights and will ensure that information flows well between the provider and the public.
Fine Gael spokesperson for community, rural, and Gaeltacht affairs Michael Ring this week also called on Airtricity Utility Solutions Ltd to carry out a full assessment of the public lights in Mayo due to the fact that he is “inundated by people contacting me regarding public lights which are out or order”.
