The project, which involves converting 34,000 Lanterns to LEDs, along residential and high-speed routes across Oxfordshire roads, is now over 92% complete.

To date, from converting almost 32,500 lanterns to LEDs, approximately 4,800 tonnes of CO₂ has been saved. That is the equivalent weight of almost 110 HGV lorries, at its maximum load.

When comparing the energy efficiency of the LEDs against the original conventional discharge lanterns, it equates to a 60% reduction in energy since the beginning of VolkerHighways’ contract with Oxfordshire County Council. Saving £3.5 million per annum reduction in energy costs (based upon the current cost of twenty-three pence per kWh).

While the rollout of LED lantern replacements within Oxfordshire is almost complete, attention now turns to replacing the ageing columns as these are nearing the end of their serviceable life. In just seventeen months our team has replaced 75%, i.e., 13,514 of the 17,924 columns to be delivered as part of this project.

The works form part of VolkerHighways’ five-year Highways Electrical Assets contract with Oxfordshire County Council, which began in December 2021. The team are responsible for planned and responsive maintenance of lighting assets across the county.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “The LED streetlighting programme is the biggest single project that we, as a council, are undertaking to reduce our own carbon emissions.

“It will significantly help us to achieve our target of becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2030 and save council taxpayers millions of pounds over the next two decades. It’s a real win-win.”

David Easton, Operations Director of VolkerHighways, said: “LEDs are attractive to many local authorities thanks to their efficiency, carbon and cost savings compared to conventional lanterns. We are pleased to see these high energy and cost savings for our valued client, Oxfordshire County Council.”