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:

  1. 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.
  1. Design
    • Using the data from our surveys, we create the best possible design for the new lighting system.
  1. 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 keep workers and road users safe, we sometimes need to close the entire road. When this happens, clearly signed diversion routes will be provided to guide you.  

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 performing survey works as part of our plans to upgrade the current lighting to LEDs on the A5 between Redgate and Potterspury. The new LED lighting will be more energy efficient and require less maintenance in the future.

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

In order to carry out our work safely, we’ll work under a mixture of full closures, lane closures and temporary traffic lights. 

Our programme for the first three of works is below:

  • Redgate junction - A5 northbound closed plus A444 approach closed - 23 May 2025
  • Bank holiday embargo (no works) 23 to 26 May 2025
  • Redgate Junction - temporary traffic lights - 27 to 30 May 2025 
  • Dunsmore Home Farm to Hilmorton Lane - temporary traffic lights - 2 to 3 June 2025
  • Danesway Roundabout - lane closures - 4 to 6 June 2025
  • A428 Halfway House Roundabout - lane and slip closures - 9 to 10 June 2025
  • A428 East Roundabout - lane closures - 11 to 12 June 2025
  • Kilsby - temporary traffic lights and lane closures - 13 to 16 June 2025

During closures, fully signed diversions will be in place.

View diversion route map.

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.

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.

 

Documents

Traffic information

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

Contact us

0300 123 5000

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