Town centre lighting work begins

An exciting Government funded project to improve the lighting in Basildon town centre has started today.

£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.

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 at the latest.

The first phase of work that has begun today is initial groundworks and over the next month, new lighting and a number of the smaller improvements will be made.

The four centre piece columns will be installed in February

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."