33 tonnes of CO2 produced at cost of £15.8k lighting up park-and-ride sites at night

Lighting up park-and-ride sites at night results in 33 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Around 33 tonnes of carbon dioxide are produced at a cost of almost £16,000 annually to light up park-and-ride sites across the north at night time.

The CO2 output is equivalent to what would be released by a passenger jet flying from Derry to the Orkney islands.

Transport Minister Nichola Mallon provided details about how much carbon is released into the atmosphere as a result of her Department's decision to light all park and ride sites when they are not being used by vehicles after being quizzed by DUP MLA Jim Wells.

"It is estimated that currently 33 Tonnes of CO2 are produced in providing lighting throughout the night in my Department’s Park and Share sites.

"However my Department’s ongoing programme to change all of the lighting at park-and-ride/share sites to energy efficient LED units, will significantly reduce this figure. The pace at which this programme of work is taken forward will depend on the necessary funding being available," she said.

The Minister said the annual cost of keeping the lights on at the sites was close to £16,000 but efforts were being made to install more energy efficient solutions.

"The energy cost to provide lighting throughout the night in my Department’s Park and Share sites is currently estimated at £15,800. However my Department’s ongoing programme to change all of the lighting at Park and Ride/Share sites to energy efficient LED units, will significantly reduce these costs. The pace at which this ongoing programme of work is taken forward will depend on the necessary funding being available," she said.

Figures are not available for Park and Ride sites which are managed by Translink.