Ofgem has worked closely with the industry to develop standards for the maintenance of street lighting i.e. street lighting fault repairs. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) was introduced following extensive consultation by Ofgem involving local authorities and distribution network operators (DNOs). Ofgem published a decision letter in this respect in 2007 and set out a number of key performance indicators (KPIs) to apply to the various street lighting maintenance categories. Ofgem also made it clear that DNOs should be seeking to meet and surpass the KPIs and if performance did not improve it would take action in this respect through the distribution price control review (DPCR).
I understand that Ofgem is now considering the extent of regulation required for the KPIs and is working with the industry to formalise these arrangements through further regulation. Ofgem expects to publish its initial proposals in this respect in July 2009.