Low energy traffic lights put in

New energy efficient traffic lights are being trialled in Derby.

It is claimed the LED lights will use 70% less energy, a lower voltage will make them safer in accidents and that they will manage traffic flow better.

The city council pays about �80,000 a year to power traffic lights and the first set to be installed should save �700 per year.

The lights are going in at the junction of Mansfield Road and the Meteor Centre and will go live in March.

Tony Gasgoine, who manages traffic and transportation projects for the council, said: "These have a 20, maybe 25, year lifespan and the savings will add up.

"We are struggling with rising energy costs so this helps with that and also cuts down on our carbon emissions."

He added: "At the same time we are replacing the lights we are putting in extra detection, which is a little bit cleverer than the current detection, and it will know if there is more traffic coming from a particular direction and will change the lights accordingly, so there should be less queues."

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