Town centre lighting work resumes

Work has resumed on a Government funded project to improve the lighting in Basildon town centre.

£750,000 of ring fenced funding from the Homes and Communities Agency will see major changes made to the lighting around the Town and St Martin's Squares.

Work began before Christmas, but was halted over the Christmas period to ensure that there was no disruption for traders and shoppers.

The proposed system will include programmable controls, feature lighting, improved security lighting (which will help the current CCTV system) and four centre piece lighting columns, to replace the current lamp posts that run along Town Square.  Paving and street improvements will also be part of the work that will be completed by the end of March 2010.

The final stage of groundworks took place at the start of January, and the four centre piece columns have been installed.

Councillor Stephen Horgan, deputy leader of the Council says:  "This is an exciting scheme that will reinforce Basildon's reputation as a prime shopping location, and help to create a more exciting, safer and enjoyable place for residents and visitors to shop, work and do business.  The new lighting will give the town centre vitality at night and will hopefully create some talking points.

"This is a project with the future very much in mind.  Over the next 25 years Basildon town centre will be transformed, and a vibrant night time economy created.  This lighting scheme will make the area more attractive after dark and help to encourage restaurants and bars to invest in the town centre in the future."

"We are thankful for the funding from the Homes and Communities Agency to carry out this work, which we will be able to deliver quickly.  It will have a high impact, show the private sector that Basildon is ready for development, and that the public sector is putting money in to get the basic infrastructure of the place right despite the recession."

The work is being funded as part of the Homes and Communities Agency (formerly English Partnerships) £2million investment into Basildon town centre.  Work already completed includes new tree planters and bins in the town square.

Jonathan Martin, Area Director for the Homes and Communities Agency said: "We are delighted to be working in harmony with Basildon District Council. The HCA recognises the importance of the public realm works in Basildon town centre for the successful regeneration of the area."

The project will include features such as new circular lighting around the compass outside the Basildon Centre and additional lighting to highlight the mother and child fountain in Town Square.  New additions will also be light strips that can change colour, and 5 banner columns in place of the current Town Square lamp posts for images and decoration to be beamed onto for seasonal events, promotion and advertising.

The project will be completed by the end of March.