Bristol City Council is to convert all of its street lighting to more energy-efficient white light in a move which will improve the quality of lighting, save hundreds of thousands of pounds a year and cut the city's carbon footprint.

Around 34,000 sodium lights will be replaced with new white lights over four years at a cost of £4 million, saving more than £338,000 in the first full year. The work will get under way in mid May.

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The total CO2 saving is estimated to be just over 4,000 tonnes per annum following completion of the works.

The cost of the work will be funded by prudential borrowing which will be repaid from the energy savings realised over a period of seven years.

The policy of converting the city’s street lighting to white light was adopted by Cabinet in September 2010.

Councillor Bev Knott, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "This is an excellent move. Very importantly, it is a big cut to Bristol’s carbon footprint and saves us money at the same time.

"It is yet another contribution to making the city a leading green capital."

(CD/GK)