Liverpool city region spends £8.3m to upgrade 700 traffic lights from halogen to LED will lead to annual savings in both cash and carbon. Tony McDonough reports
An £8.3m project to upgrade traffic lights across Liverpool city region is projected to save £684,000 and 1,234 tonnes of carbon a year.
In a programme that was completed at the end of 2025, around 700 traffic lights across the six boroughs of the city region saw their old halogen bulbs replaced with more energy-efficient LED signals.
According to the Combined Authority, which worked with local councils to carry out the work, the installation will result in energy savings, reduced future maintenance and road safety benefits.
Cllr Steve Foulkes, chair of Liverpool City Region Transport Committee, said: “This project shows exactly how tackling the climate emergency can go hand in hand with making people’s lives better.
“By upgrading hundreds of traffic signals across our city region, we’re cutting carbon, saving hundreds of thousands of pounds in energy costs every year, and making our roads safer and more reliable.
“It’s a smart, practical investment that future-proofs vital infrastructure, delivers real value for taxpayers, and helps us move faster towards our goal of a net zero Liverpool city region.”
READ MORE: Chinese auto firm could produce vehicles in Merseyside
READ MORE: Completion in sight for £1m Moorfields upgrade
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.
In addition to environmental benefits, the upgrade supports Liverpool city region’s road safety strategy – Vision Zero, with LED signals providing improved visibility through modern lens technology and significantly reduced failure rates.