'Green' street lights cut costs

The street lights can be controlled using wireless technology

New technology has been used to cut street lighting energy costs and reduce carbon emissions in County Durham.

Electronics in the lamp heads are connected to wireless technology so they can be dimmed and monitored for faults using the internet.

The council hopes it will save up to £46 in energy costs and 100 kg of carbon emissions for each light.

The system has been piloted in Chester-le-Street on a section of the A167, one of the busiest roads in the North East.

Depending on traffic flows, lights can be dimmed by 30% overnight, although they will be kept on full power at areas such as roundabouts and major intersections.

The system, called Leafnut, has been designed by West Yorkshire-based Harvard Engineering plc.

Wilf Newall, the County Council's street lighting manager, said: "With 86,000 street lights and illuminated traffic signs, street lighting is one of our biggest energy costs.

"Some councils have decided to switch off street lights, but we are looking to technology to help us achieve savings and reduce carbon emissions.

"This system lets us do this by reducing light levels at particular times, rather than switching lights off altogether."