ESSEX Highways has flicked the switch on a significant milestone in the streetlight upgrade programme after 100,000 new LED streetlights were installed across the county.

The upgrades are happening mostly in residential roads, with older lamps being replaced with LED (‘light-emitting diode’) technology, in the fourth and final phase of the street lighting upgrade project.

Essex Highways’ crews have been upgrading around 1,000 lights a week and are currently finishing the upgrades in Braintree and Epping Forest before moving to Castle Point and Harlow.

The upgraded LED lights save around 75% of energy compared to the older bulbs that are being replaced and are more efficient as they are expected to last up to 20 years, saving taxpayers’ money being spent on regularly replacing the bulbs. 

Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: “The streetlight upgrade programme is a significant project and the progress made so far in bringing more efficient and environmentally friendly lighting across Essex has been impressive. 

“Despite a number of global issues affecting the supply of LEDs, the team have worked hard to secure stock and continue the rollout, and I am confident every residential streetlight across Essex will benefit from new, more efficient lighting by next year.”

Phase four of the upgrade programme was significantly impacted by the global shortage of components for the telecells that are used to control the streetlights. This was due to major events such as the effects of the pandemic lockdowns and the war in Ukraine. 

Essex Highways was able to secure additional stock before the shortage hit but the programme was still impacted significantly. Despite this, working with installation contractor Electrical Testing Ltd, Essex Highways was able to ensure delays were minimised and work is now on track to be completed by March 2024. 

In areas where it appears that older streetlights have yet to be replaced or may have been missed, it is the intention that crews will return to them. There are several factors that may have prevented them being replaced initially, such as operatives unable to safely gain access to equipment due to foliage or parked cars, or concerns about the column structure. 

For more information about Essex’s LED replacement programme visit the Replacement by LED programme webpage.