East and West 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 started our biggest-ever programme to replace older street lamps 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 70% by March 2027.
What are we doing in the Midlands?
We plan to install around 6,000 LED lights in the East and West Midlands by the end of March 2025.
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 also more efficient, 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 & Assessment
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- 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
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- Using the data from our surveys, we create the best possible design for the new lighting system.
- Installation & Commissioning
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- 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 dedicated webpage here.
Project information
You can view more details about LED lighting schemes taking place in the Midlands below:
We'll be upgrading the current lighting to LEDs on the A1 between Blyth and Colsterworth. 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, from 8 July 2024 to 16 September 2024.
In order to carry out our work safely, we’ll close slips road, lanes and carriageways for the safety of our workforce and road users. Closures will move along the road as our work progresses.
What does this mean for you?
During closures, fully signed diversions will be in place which are shown below.
Monday 8 July (one night) – Markham Moor: Northbound exit and entry slips plus roundabout including Main Street.
EXIT
ENTRY
Tuesday 9 July (one night) – Markham Moor: Southbound exit and entry Cliff Gate
EXIT
ENTRY
Wednesday 10 July (one night) – Apleyhead: Northbound exit and entry slips.
EXIT
ENTRY
Thursday 11 July (one night) – Apleyhead: Southbound exit and entry slips.
ENTRY
EXIT
Friday 12 July (one night) – Blyth: Northbound exit and entry slips.
ENTRY
EXIT
Further diversion maps will be available on our website as per the below program of works.
Monday 15 July – 1 night – Blyth: Southbound entry slips
Monday 15 July – 1 night – Blyth: Southbound exit slip
Tuesday 16 July – 2 nights – Beacon Hill: Northbound exit and entry slips onto Lavender Way.
Monday 22 July – 1 night – Gonerby Moor: Northbound exit and entry slips.
Tuesday 23 July – 1 night – Gonerby Moor: Southbound exit approach to the roundabout.
Wednesday 24 July – 3 nights – Elkesly Bridge: Southbound carriageway and Northbound lane 2.
Monday 29 July – 1 night – Elkesly Bridge: Northbound carriageway and Southbound lane 2.
Tuesday 30 July – 2 nights – Elkesly Bridge: Northbound carriageway and Southbound lane 2 and Dover Btm exit and entry Slips.
Monday 2 September – 4 nights – Colsterworth: Southbound carriageway and Northbound lane 2 and B6403.
Friday 6 September – 3 nights – Colsterworth: Southbound carriageway and Northbound lane 2, B6403 and A151.
Wednesday 11 September – One night – Colsterworth: Northbound carriageway and B6403
Thursday 12 September – Three nights – Colsterworth: Northbound carriageway and A151.
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 apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
As part of our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, we’ll be upgrading the current lighting to LEDs on the A52, between Tithby Road and Grantham Road. The new LED lighting will be more energy efficient and require less maintenance in the future.
Work Schedule:
- Start Date: Thursday 12 September
- End Date: Tuesday 24 September
- Time: 8pm - 6am on weeknights only
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Closures
- A52 between Saxondale (A46 Bingham Interchange) and the A1 at Barrowby
- [View eastbound diversion route map]
- [View westbound diversion route map]
Closures can change at short notice. Make sure you check the latest information on our daily closures page. You can also get information on our regional X (formerly Twitter) page.
Please follow the signed diversions and allow extra time for your journeys.
We’ll be upgrading the current lighting to LEDs around M5 junction 5. 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 4 to Tuesday 10 September 2024.
To maintain safety, we’ll install a full closure of the M5 junction 5 north and southbound exit slips. We’ll also install total closures at Roman Road, Amphlett Way, Stoke Road and Worchester Road. During closures, fully signed diversion routes will be in place which can be viewed below:
M5 junction 5 northbound exit slip road diversion
M5 junction 5 southbound exit slip road diversion
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 apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
Documents
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.X
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