Newham Council have joined a campaign for local authorities to change their street lamps to energy efficient LED bulbs, with Mayor Sir Robin Wales signing the Lighten Up pledge organised by the 10:10 Climate Action charity.

Sir Robin said: “I am delighted to have signed the pledge on behalf of Newham Council. We have been committed for some time to replacing all our bulbs with clean, green, LED ones by 2019. My aim is for all street lights to be as energy efficient as possible.”

Out of the 19,500 street lights in Newham over 12,000 have already been switched to the Low energy LED bulbs that reduce carbon emissions and save money over time.

Sir Robin added: “If all councils switched their street lights to LED bulbs it would save £200 million every year. I am glad Newham is playing its part in working towards a greener, more energy efficient future for our streets.”

10:10 Climate Action run positive, practical projects focused on tackling climate change at a community level. The aim is to turn local actions into a much bigger movement that leads to bigger nationwide changes.

Neil Jones, campaigner at 10:10 Climate Action said: “Newham Council deserves nothing but praise for taking the pledge to lighten up their streets with LEDs. In these tough financial times the money saved will make a real difference to people in the area, and the carbon cutting potential of LEDs makes this move a no brainer. We’re calling on more councils to follow Newham’s example and pledge to go LED by 2022.”

Newham are one of four councils that have agreed to sign the pledge alongside Islington, Kirklees and Hammersmith & Fulham.