London is set for the largest-ever single investment to modernise its street lighting in a move that should reduce energy consumption by 40 per cent.

 

Around 35,000 of the capital's 52,000 street lights will be replaced by energy-efficient LEDs by 2016, while a new system will also be introduced to remotely manage and control lighting levels in line with traffic flows and road usage.

 

The initial phase of the project is expected to cost £10.9m, but is set to generate annual savings of around £1.85m and reduce associated CO2 emissions by 9,700 tonnes a year.

 

TfL said the new LED technology would be rolled out across the majority of its street lights over the next 10 years. It follows successful pilots in locations such as the Upper Thames Street Tunnel, which in 2011 became the first UK tunnel to have linear LED lighting, and has cut energy consumption by 60 per cent as well as reducing maintenance costs. The management systems have also been trialled in Birmingham and the London Boroughs of Croydon, Lewisham and Hackney.

 

London follows Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York in implementing a city-wide LED switch-over.

 

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "With tens of thousands of lights marking the way on our road network it makes complete sense to focus energy and resources on bringing them up to 21st-century standards. This is the largest investment to modernise street lighting on major roads in our capital's history and will not only cut carbon emissions and save money but will also lead to even better and safer roads for Londoners."