Work has started today, Wednesday, to replace around 40 streetlighting columns along Teignmouth seafront ahead of the summer.

Devon County Council removed 10 of the columns last October as a safety precaution, after defects were found during routine inspections.

Installation of the new streetlights is expected to be completed by the first week in June.

The replacement columns will be galvanised steel with low energy LED lighting units.

The lights will include sensors to enable lighting times and brightness to be controlled remotely.

The columns will also be installed with power supplies to enable CCTV to be added as well as additional lighting such as Christmas lights.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: ‘It’s good news that this work is starting and will be completed before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

‘The new lighting will be much more environmentally friendly to reduce carbon emissions and the new features such as the sensors and power supplies will make them much more fit for purpose for the local community.’

Councillor David Cox, Devon County Councillor for Teignmouth, said: ‘This is great news for Teignmouth, I’m pleased Devon County Council has acted quickly to get the lighting sorted.

‘It’s good that new lighting will support the Town Council’s CCTV and have interactive features that will complement community events.’

Teignmouth Town Councillor Peter Williams, said: ‘We are very grateful to Devon County Council for their efforts on behalf of Teignmouth in enabling these new streetlights to be ordered and installed so quickly.

‘The new features the street lighting will bring to our seafront will have huge benefits around carbon reduction and environmental impact and will bring benefits for all the residents and visitors alike.’

The remainder of the lighting columns along the seafront are still being monitored but it is likely they will need to be replaced within the next 10 years.