In a piece of illuminating news, Nottingham firm McCann wins £30m contract to replace and maintain tens of thousands of lights across Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool City Council has awarded a £30m contract to a Nottingham firm that will replace and maintain tens of thousands of lights across the city.
McCann, an established lighting specialist, will ensure around 65,000 lighting assets are improved and maintained over the next three years. This contract covers 57,000 lighting units and 8,000 signs and bollards.
Following a competitive tender process, McCann was awarded the contract comprising £21.5m in capital works and £8.5m in maintenance services over an initial three-year term with the potential to extend for a further two years based on performance.
As part of the deal thousands of new LED lamps will be installed across Liverpool, significantly reducing energy consumption and slashing carbon emissions. LED lights typically achieve energy savings of 40% to 80%.
Further cost-savings are achieved as LED streetlights have a much longer lifespan, often lasting 20-25 years, compared to five-year lifespans of traditional lamps.
This reduces the frequency of bulb replacements and associated maintenance work, leading to significant cost savings on labour, equipment, and traffic management.
By reducing energy consumption, Liverpool City Council will also become less vulnerable to fluctuations and potential increases in electricity prices, leading to more predictable budgeting.
To further enhance the lighting system, the Council will implement a Central Management System (CMS).
This technology will not only detect faults in real time, enabling faster response times and quicker repairs, but also enable dynamic dimming based on time of day, traffic flow, or environmental conditions.
John McCann, managing director of McCann, said: “Our team has worked diligently to ensure a smooth and comprehensive mobilisation of the Liverpool contract. We’re excited to begin delivering high-quality services that will enhance the city’s infrastructure.”
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McCann will deliver a range of services, from emergency callouts to major infrastructure upgrades. Over the past three months, the firm has worked closely with the council to establish a dedicated Liverpool-based team.
This includes the onboarding of eight TUPE staff and the recruitment of quantity surveyors, apprentices, and technical administrators. A new central depot to support operations across the city, and secured plant, equipment, and stock.
Cllr Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, added: “This contract represents a major step forward in modernising Liverpool’s street lighting network.”