LED technology signals way for carbon and cost savings

A project to retrofit and upgrade traffic signals to energy-efficient LED technology has delivered more than 1,200 tonnes in carbon savings for the Liverpool City Region.

The Combined Authority, together with Wirral Council and the other city region authorities, has successfully completed the major programme to improve traffic signals across the region’s roads, delivering 1,234 tonnes of CO₂ reductions, energy savings, reduced future maintenance and road safety benefits.

The LED Traffic Signals Upgrade saw 186 traffic signal sites upgraded in Wirral from outdated halogen technology to modern, energy-efficient LED signals. Around 700 in total were completed across the region. In Wirral, a further 105 new signal poles were installed under the programme.

The project has been a key part of the Liverpool City Region’s Pathway to Net Zero and directly supports the Mayor’s commitment to making the city region carbon neutral by 2035.

Designed to modernise aging infrastructure while minimising waste and maximising value for money, the LED traffic signals retrofit replaced the individual aspects of the signal heads at a site, wherever possible, rather than replacing complete heads, reducing material use and supporting recycling.

Based on the completed works, the project is delivering annual savings across the City Region of 1,234 tonnes of CO₂, 28 million kWh of energy and £684,000 per year in energy costs, based on current electricity prices

In addition to environmental benefits, the upgrade supports the Liverpool City Region’s Road Safety Strategy – Vision Zero, with LED signals providing improved visibility through modern lens technology and significantly reduced failure rates.

The project has recently been shortlisted for an award at the Decarbonising Transport Awards taking place in London in March.