Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has announced the next phase of its Street Lighting Energy Efficiency Project (SLEEP) will take place in Galashiels.

The £4.9 million scheme began in April 2014 and around 6,000 street lights in the Borders regions have already been converted.


It is understood a total of 16,000 out of 19,000 lights will be replaced during the four year project.

SLEEP is expected to save around £100,000 each year in reduced energy costs and use half of the energy needed by the existing lighting infrastructure.

Councillor Gordon Edgar said: "I am delighted the project is nearing the halfway stage and look forward to further positive comments as the scheme moves into its second and final phase."

SLEEP is part of SBC's Corporate Transformation programme.

(LM/CD)