Street lighting

Replacement and maintenance of Dorset's street lights and illuminated traffic signs is carried out by Dorset Lighting Ltd.

Who are we?

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Electric Contracting (SEC). SEC is one of the UK's leading Energy companies. SEC is also a major provider of national infrastructure projects including street lighting. Dorset Lighting Ltd was selected as the provider of street lighting services to Dorset County Council following a detailed procurement exercise carried out during 2005/2006.

What do we do?

Dorset Lighting Limited began a major programme to replace Dorset's existing street lighting stock in March 2007. The first year programme shown is subject to minor change and should only be used as a general indication. Most of the replacements will take place over the first five years of the twenty five year contract. Work will increase steadily in year one and then continue at an intensive level for the next four years.

Dorset Lighting Ltd will also assumed responsibility for the management, design, installation and ongoing repair and maintenance of Dorset's existing street lighting stock including illuminated traffic signs.

Why do we do it?

Street lighting is something many people take for granted but it is very important to us. It reduces the likelihood of road traffic accidents for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle users during the hours of darkness. It also increases the safety of our environment and property by reducing crime, the fear of crime and vandalism through the night.

How can you contact us?

It is helpful if you let us know about street lights or illuminated traffic signs that are not working by telephoning our call centre using the contact listed below. Alternatively you can report the fault online.

When you report a faulty street light or illuminated traffic sign we need the following information to help us repair it quickly:

What road or street it is in
What number house it is outside or opposite
What number is displayed on the street lighting column
What the post code of the area is
What the fault is

Please bear in mind that most repairs are carried out in the daylight when it is not easy to establish which light is faulty without accurate information.

If a street light is damaged it may be dangerous, especially if any wiring can be seen. You should not attempt to help by covering up or touching the wires but, if necessary you should warn children to keep away. Please call us immediately so that we can make it safe as quickly as possible.

How quickly will repairs be carried out?

We aim to attend to emergencies within two hours. Almost all straightforward repairs will be completed within five working days. Sometimes a fault is due to a failure i in the electricity supply. In these cases the repair is not directly under our control and we have to instruct the Regional Electricity Board to carry out the necessary work.