Street lights, festive lights and belisha beacons

We are responsible for the maintenance and repair of approximately 56,000 street lights and 6,150 lit signs and bollards throughout Manchester 's 1,444km road network.

Since July 2004 we have replaced over 75% of the City's street lights with brighter and more efficient equipment. 

Street lighting is installed on new housing estates where the streets (or footpaths) are to be adopted by us.  Developers will have to install lighting in accordance with our requirements and are responsible for all maintenance until formal adoption by us takes place. 

Christmas/Festive Lights

Throughout the year we install and maintain festive lights in both in the City Centre and in some of the district centres.

Only approved festive lighting and decorations may be attached to our street furniture, to ensure that members of the public are not put at risk, and that street furniture is not damaged or obscured. 

You should contact us if you are having an event and are planning to use festive lights on the highway.

Belisha beacons

A zebra crossing with black and white bars across the road is marked with flashing yellow belisha beacons.

What you can do  

To report a problem relating to a faulty street light, lit sign, festive lights or belisha beacons you will need to provide the location, and the reference number: 

• on a street light the number is black on a yellow background about 2m high on the lamp post;
• on a belisha beacon (at a zebra crossing) the number is black and starts with "BP" on a yellow background about 2m high on the post.

If you can't see the number, please give the address of the nearest house.

What we can do

We will investigate and put right.

Do it online

Report a problem with an street light, festive lights or belisha beacon please use report a faulty street light or bollard form.