A SCHEME to modernise every street light in Bradford will save almost £190 million over 50 years.

Bradford Council's decision making Executive yesterday approved the scheme to replace all of the district's 60,000 street lights with LED lighting.

The project will cost £45 million, and also include the replacement of 17,000 lighting columns that are at the end of their natural life.

The plans were approved by the Council's decision making Executive yesterday, when members heard that the lights would require 65 per cent less energy than the existing lights.

Council explains reasons for £45 million street light replacement plan

Replacing all the lights would take around five years, and be paid for by interest free loans. Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said; "We all have lots of constituents coming to us asking about street lights being out, and this will help solve that."

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw said the proposal was "win - win."

A report to the Executive said electric car charging points could be installed in the lights, and smart technology would allow staff to know immediately when a light develops a fault.