Midlands LED roadside lighting upgrades

We’re cutting carbon emissions in the Midlands by switching to cleaner LED lights, making our motorways and A-roads greener and more energy efficient.

We've moved into year 3 of our biggest-ever programme to replace older streetlamps with LED lights that use far less energy to produce the same amount of light.

The £132m investment programme aims to reduce carbon emissions by retrofitting existing, older lighting, taking the amount of environmentally friendly LED lights across the Strategic Road Network (SRN) to at least 70% by March 2027.

What are we doing in the Midlands?

We plan to upgrade a further 7000 LED lanterns in the Midlands by the end of March 2026. By March 2027, we'll have retrofitted most of the lighting in the region, reducing energy consumption by up to 65%. We’ve already upgraded over 70% of our lighting assets within the Midlands.

The new LEDs also last longer, meaning less maintenance and fewer replacements on our network, minimising the disruption to our customers and local communities. They're more efficient, remotely monitored, can be dimmed, concentrate light where needed, and require less maintenance. 

The programme forms part of National Highways’ Net zero highways plan to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2030, which also includes buying renewable electricity, decarbonizing travel, and planting trees. Watch the video below to find out more.

 

How are we working?

We’ve divided this project into a number of schemes across the region, each with three key stages:

Survey and assessment

Our team visits the road to carry out structural and electrical tests on the current lighting, including columns and wiring.

To ensure safety and efficiency, we may have to do this under lane, carriageway or full closures depending on location and the nature of the work.

Design

Using the data from our surveys, we create the best possible design for the new lighting system.

Installation and commissioning

Three or four months after the initial survey, we begin installing new lights on the road.

To work safely at height, we typically close two lanes. One lane is for our vehicle, and the other is used as a precautionary safety lane to act as a buffer between our workforce and passing traffic.

We check each installation along the way. Once we’ve replaced the lighting, we conduct a final test before removing the traffic management.

To work safely, we sometimes need to close the entire road. When this happens, we'll provide clearly signed diversion routes.

We’ll try to minimise the impact of our work on the local community and drivers. Unforeseen circumstances may mean we need to change our plans. If we need more time to do out work, we'll update details on this page.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

By following these steps for every scheme, we’re making sure the new lighting system lasts longer, reduces carbon emissions, and saves energy. You can view more about the schemes currently in progress below.

Where can I find out more information?

You can find out more information about our national LED lighting programme on our LED lighting programme.

Project information

View an LED lighting scheme

You can view more details about LED lighting schemes taking place in the Midlands below:

We'll be carrying out surveys as part of our plans to upgrade the current lighting to LEDs on the A1 between Blyth and Grantham. The new LED lighting will be more energy efficient and require less maintenance in the future.

When will this work take place?

We’ll work overnight, between 8pm and 6am, from 6 May 2025 and 30 May 2025, Monday to Friday. 

What does this mean for you?

To ensure our work is carried out safely, we’ll work under a combination of full closures and lane closures. Whenever possible, we’ll coordinate with existing closures from other schemes nearby. 

During closures, fully signed diversions will be in place. 

The following closures will be in place for 1 night:

  • Blyth A1 northbound exit slip closure at Blyth  - Tuesday 6 May 
  • Ranby A1 southbound lane closures on both entry and exit slips - Wednesday 7 May 
  • Balderton A1 southbound exit slip closed A1 NB exit slip closed - Monday 12 May 
  • Grantham - Swingbridge Rd Roundabout A1 southbound entry slip closed and outer ring lane closure of roundabout - Thursday 15 May 
  • Great Ponton A1 centre reservation back-to-back lane closures - Wednesday - 14 May 
  • Great Ponton A1 centre reservation back-to-back lane closures Thursday - 15 May 1 
  • Great Ponton A1 southbound lane closure from B1174 (Gonerby Moor) -  Monday 19 May to the entry slip for Archers Way (Great Ponton)
  • Thorns Farm Leisure Exit A1 northbound lane closure with cones on hatchings at splitter - Tue 20 May 

Access for emergency service vehicles will be maintained throughout. 

We’ll make every effort to ensure the impact on the local community and travelling public is kept to a minimum. We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes. 

Please accept our apologies in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

We're continuing to upgrade the current lighting to LEDs on the A14 between junction 3 and 7 and junction 10. The new LED lighting will be more energy efficient and require less maintenance in the future.

We’ll work overnight, between 8pm and 5am, Monday to Friday, from Wednesday 30 July to Friday 8 August. 

In order to carry out this work safely, we’ll work under a combination of full and single lane closures.

The following closures will be in place:

  • A14 junction 3 eastbound exit slip road - Wednesday 30 July for 1 night
  • A14 junction 3 eastbound entry slip road - Thursday 31 July for 1 night
  • A14 junction 4 services eastbound entry slip road and lane 1 eastbound - Friday 31 July for 1 night
  • A14 junctions 4-7 single lane closures in both directions - Monday 4 August for 4 nights
  • A14 junction 7 eastbound exit slip road lane closure - Friday 8 August for 1 night

During closures, a fully signed diversion will be in place. Traffic will be directed to carry on to the next junction and to return on the opposite carriageway.

We're surveying the A46 between Cattle Market Roundabout to Anstey for LED lighting upgrade.

We’ll work overnight (8pm - 6am) Monday to Friday.  

Closures

To work safely, we’ll use a mixture of full closures and lane closures.  

Tuesday 24 June  - Melton Road junction - A46 northbound exit slip

Closed. 

Wednesday 24 June - Melton Road junction - A46 southbound entry slip

Closed. 

Thursday 26 June for 2 nights - Shell garage past Seagrave Road

Lane 2 closed in both directions

Monday 30 June - Seagrave Road exit and entry slips

Slips and lane 1 southbound closed

Tuesday 1 July - Park Hill Lane exit and entry slips

Slips and lane 1 northbound closed

Wednesday 2 July - Ratcliffe Road junction - Northbound exit slip

Slip and lane 1 main carriageway closed.

Thursday 3 July - Syston Road Roundabout - Northbound exit slip

Slip closed

During closures, fully signed diversions will be in place. 

We'll maintain access for emergency service vehicles throughout.  

 

We're surveying the A5 between Redgate and Potterspury for LED lighting upgrade.

We’ll work overnight (8pm and 6am) from 5 May 2025 to 8 July 2025, Monday to Friday. 

Closures

To work safely, we’ll use a mixture of full closures, lane closures and temporary traffic lights. 

23 May 2025 - Redgate junction - A5 northbound

Closed, together with A444 approach.

27 to 30 May 2025  - Redgate Junction

Temporary traffic lights.

2 to 3 June 2025 - Dunsmore Home Farm to Hilmorton Lane

Temporary traffic lights.

4 to 6 June 2025 - Danesway Roundabout

Lane closures.

9 to 10 June 2025 -  A428 Halfway House Roundabout

Lane and slip closures.

11 to 12 June 2025 - A428 East Roundabout

Lane closures.

13 to 16 June 2025 - Kilsby

Temporary traffic lights and lane closures.

Fully signed diversions will be in place during closures.

View diversion route map.

We'll maintain access for emergency service vehicles throughout. 

We're surveying the A50 between junction 1 and the M1 junction 24a for LED lighting upgrade. 

We'll work overnight (8pm - 6am) Monday to Friday.

Closures

To work safely, we’ll use a mixture of full closures and lane closures.  

Monday 16 June for 2 nights - A50 junction 1

Eastbound lanes 2 and 3 closed. Westbound lane 3 closed

Wednesday 18 June for 5 nights - A50 junction 1

Eastbound entry slip closed at Sawley junction. Lane 1 of main carriageway closed to the railway bridge.

Wednesday 25 June for 3 nights - A50 junction 1

Outer ring management lanes 1 and 2. Lane 2 closed on entry slips

Fully signed diversions will be in place during closures.

We'll maintain access for emergency services vehicles throughout.  

We're carrying out survey work to plan new Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting on the A449 and Gailey Island.

The new LED lights will:

  • use less energy
  • need less maintenance
  • be better for the environment

This upgrade will improve the lighting while reducing costs and our environmental impact.

We’ll work overnight, between 9pm and 6am, from 18 August 2025 to 29 August 2025, Monday to Friday. 

In order to carry out our work safely, we’ll work in stages, and this will require some temporary traffic management to be in place for the safety of our workers. 

During our works fully signed diversion routes will be in place where required and have been agreed with the local authority to minimise disruption to the travelling public and local residents.

Access for emergency service vehicles will be maintained throughout. 

We’ll make every effort to ensure the impact on the local community and travelling public is kept to a minimum.

We always aim to work to the programme, however unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes. 

Please accept our apologies in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

We'll be carrying out surveys as part of our plans to upgrade the roadside lighting to LEDs on the A52 between Spondon and Barrowby. The new LED lighting will be more energy efficient and require less maintenance in the future.

When will this work take place?

We’ll work overnight, between 8pm and 6am, Monday to Friday, between 30 June 2025 to mid-October 2025. 

To complete our work safely and reduce disruption, most of our work will be carried out under lane closures. Our traffic management will be installed over small sections, and our work will progress along the A52. 

There may be times when we need to close the road, but we’ll provide further updates at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll make every effort to ensure the impact on the local community and travelling public is kept to a minimum.

We always aim to work to the programme; however, unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions may mean changes. 

We're surveying the M6 and M54 for LED lighting upgrade. 

We’ll work overnight (9pm and 6am) Monday to Friday. 

Closures

To work safely, we’ll use a mixture of full closures, lane closures and temporary traffic lights. 

Monday 30 June to Tuesday 1 July - M54 Ketley Dingle Interchange – junction 6

Lane closures on the entry and exit slips in both directions

Weds 2 July to Thursday 3 July - M54 junction 5

Lane closures on the eastbound entry and exit slips.

Friday 4 July to Monday 7 July - M54 junction 5 

Lane closures on the westbound entry and exit slips.

Tuesday 8 July to Weds 9 July - M54 Castle Farm Interchange – junction 4

Lane closures on the entry and exit slips in both directions.

Thursday 10 July to Friday 11 July - M54 junction 3 to A41

Lane closures on the entry and exit slips in both directions and A41 Tong Interchange.

Monday 14 July to Weds 16 July - M54 junction 3 to A41

Lane closures on the roundabout.

Thursday 17 July to Thursday 24 July - M6 junction 8-7

Lane closures. Fully signed diversions will be in place during closures. We'll  maintain access for emergency service vehicles throughout.

We'll give you details of further works and closures closer to the time. 

Documents

Traffic information

Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.

Contact us

0300 123 5000

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