Eastleigh signs up to pioneering energy saving programme

11.48.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 11th Aug 2005

Eastleigh signs up to pioneering energy saving programme

Lib Dem-led Eastleigh is one of 26 local authorities from England and Scotland taking part in a scheme that will help cut energy bills by millions of pounds.

The Borough Council has put together a project plan outlining several initiatives that will help it reduce its carbon emissions.

These include increasing renewable energy in its buildings, achieved by the new wind turbine at Itchen Valley Country Park producing power for the Park's Barn Visitor Centre, by the installation of solar panels providing power at the Lakeside pavilion and solar lighting in several bus shelters.

The Council will also be installing energy efficient lamps in locations in the Civic Offices. These are fitted with sensors which turn off lights when people are not in the room. Another example of the Council's efforts to save energy is its encouragement of car-sharing by staff travelling to and from work.

The project plan allows the Council to sign up to the Carbon Trust's Local Authority Carbon Management programme helping to save energy bills by millions of pounds.

The Borough Council's Cabinet member for the Environment and Councillor for Hedge End Grange Park, Louise Bloom commented "This is good news for Eastleigh. Being included as part of the pilot programme means we can show how serious we are about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making a positive step to reduce our environmental impact on the planet."

The primary focus of the Local Authorities Carbon Management Programme is to reduce emissions under the direct control of the local authority such as buildings, vehicle fleets, street-lighting and landfill sites.