Brighter towns on way

Heritage lights that adorn Greytown's Main St are likely to be systematically overhauled to stop water from infiltrating the fittings.

This is revealed in a street lighting report prepared by South Wairarapa District Council officers that is to be presented to a full council meeting in Martinborough today.

The work is likely to cost more than $20,000, but the report does not indicate whether the council or the manufacturer of the lights, who will do the modifications, will pick up the financial cost.

Windsor Heritage lights were installed in a portion of Main St several years ago when the town centre was refurbished and later extended further along the street.

There are now 21 heritage lights in the town and all have been inspected by the manufacturer who has asked for them to be returned to the factory for modification.

Council officers want to drip feed the fittings back to the manufacturer with the changes to them being made over time.

Water proofing each light is estimated at $980, or $20,580 for the 21 lights.

The report shows that generally South Wairarapa towns are poised to become brighter places with the planned installation of extra and improved street lights in all towns and along parts of the state highways.

It calls for 10 extra street lights - three being in Roberts Rd, Martinborough, one each in French St and Cambridge Rd, Martinborough, three in Brandon St, Featherston and one each in Kempton St and Reading St in Greytown. The estimated cost of that work would total $16,050, but this includes the repositioning of some existing lights, and a street light circuit extension in Roberts Road, Martinborough.

According to council officers the proposal falls within budget.

Several intersections have also been identified as needing lighting upgrades.

As far as state highway lighting is concerned about 20 street lights located between the southern entrance to Featherston and the railway line need replacing and upgraded to 150 watt. The lights are of an old design and replacement is needed because of both age and condition.

On State Highway 53 that links Featherston with Martinborough three extra street lights are needed and a further three need to be repositioned.

Four replacement light fittings have been installed in Martinborough Square.