Local authorities have been invited to have a survey of their lamp posts carried out to find out if any pose a safety risk and need replacement.

Port St Mary is one village which has taken up the offer from Manx Utilities.

Some of its street lights are more than 25 years old and the local authority is looking to replace the ageing columns as part of a rolling programme.

A full survey of the 203 metal lighting columns in the village will cost the authority just over £6,000.

Clerk to Port St Mary Commissioners, Hayley Fargher, said: ’Some of our street lights are over 25 years old and it is the board’s intention to use this audit to start making a rolling programme to repair/replace where necessary.

’Manx Utilities carried out an audit for us earlier this year (this planned one would be much more in depth), and none were reported to be a safety hazard.

’However, we are conscious of the age and that they need to be addressed.’

She added: ’The intention is to budget to replace 10 a year going forward and this audit should help us make a plan of where to start the process.’

As many as 199 of the 203 lighting columns in Port St Mary Commissioners’ ownership are more than 15 years old.

The tests cost £30.33 plus VAT per column.

It is not known when the survey will take place as it will depend on how many local authorities sign up to the scheme.

Inspections

Visual inspections and above-ground tests are carried out by Manx Utilities as part of its ongoing maintenance contract with Port St Mary and other local authorities.

But it has now appointed a specialist company to carry out non-destructive, below-ground tests, without the need for excavating the base of the column.

In its letter to the board, it wrote: ’Whilst Port St Mary Commissioners have been proactive in the maintenance and renewal of street lighting, there is still a strong advantage in undertaking these inspections.

’Unfortunately, detailed knowledge regarding how lighting columns deteriorate is limited but an approach by the Institute of Lighting Engineers to help establish the age when there is a likelihood of corrosion or fatigue, indicates the action age of 22 years.

’This does not necessarily mean that columns requiring changing after this time has passed, but indicates that a detailed inspection is required to ascertain projected life span.’

Manx Utilities said it expected the majority of Port St Mary Commissioners’ lighting columns are beyond or approaching the theoretical action age.

And as a result, it recommended that the board undertakes a detailed relative loss test to help prioritise replacements and budget requirements for the coming years.