SEVERAL of Eastleigh borough's bus shelters are taking the "green" route by being lit by solar power.

The technology is being used to provide electricity for the lighting at five of the busier shelters on the borough's main bus routes in Eastleigh, Fair Oak and Netley.

In a pilot project, Eastleigh Council and Southampton City Council commissioned specialist company Solar Century to install solar panels in ten shelters. The lighting unit in each shelter is capable of providing 100,000 hours of illumination.

Eastleigh is investing in new bus shelters as part of its commitment to improve public transport for all.

Eastleigh Council's cabinet minister for transport and streetscene, Councillor David Airey, pictured above in one of the shelthers with Councillor Louise Bloom, said: "This project combines the council's efforts to encourage use of public transport with its development of the use of sustainable energy. Lighting in the shelters will help people feel safer while they are waiting for buses at night and help make travelling more pleasant."

Cabinet minister for the environment Cllr Bloom added: "Eastleigh is continuing to develop new ways to conserve energy and these new bus shelters are just part of its plans. By making use of daylight there is no charge for the power and it is environment-friendly too."