Work to install brand new streetlights in Higher Woolbrook Park will begin on Monday (February 22).

In total, 20 old-style 70watt street lanterns will be replaced with 16watt LED lights, which will last four times longer.

In addition, 16 of the area’s deteriorating street lamp columns, which line Higher Woolbrook Park’s pavement and date back to the 1960s, will also be replaced.

The work will take five or six working days and will be carried out by Devon County Council (DCC) contractors, SSE.

The work was identified as a priority following a routine maintenance inspection by SSE towards the end of last year.

The new columns, which will be made of aluminium, are expected to last 70 years.

It is estimated that the switch from traditional bulbs to energy efficient LEDs in Higher Woolbrook Park alone will save the authority hundreds of pounds a year in electricity bills.

Once completed, the lights will continue to come on at dusk and turn off at 12.30am before turning on again at 5.30am and going off again at dawn.

In addition, in a separate scheme, Government funding will mean that 24,000 more lanterns across Devon will be converted to energy-efficient alternatives by March 2018.

This follows a successful bid by DCC to secure over £10m from the Department for Transport Challenge Fund.

Included in this will be the replacement of 5,000 street lamp columns on mainly A and B roads in Devon, including on the A375 and on the A3052.

The total savings in electricity costs with the Challenge Fund project could amount to approximately £390,000 annually.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, DCC’s highways chief, said: “The lights need replacing and many of the lamp posts are over 40 years old.

“The new streetlights will not only improve the street scene they will enable us to continue to light Devon’s streets and roads for years to come and significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

“During the works there will be a minimum amount of disruption to residents and motorists.

“As it is a residential area, temporary traffic signals will not be needed.

“Work vehicles will be parked in the road, but access will still be available for vehicles and pedestrians at all times.”