London tunnel illuminated with eco lights

Date: 20/6/2011

New eco lighting has been fitted for the first time in a UK tunnel.

According to Transport for London (TfL), Upper Thames Street westbound tunnel in the centre of the capital has had long-life linear Light Emitting Diode (LED) illumination installed.

This could help to achieve a 60 per cent reduction in power consumption, along with lower costs and less need for maintenance, while safety is also hoped to improve as a result of the technology.

The tunnel's old lights had a two-year life expectancy, but the new bulbs could last for as long as 20 years.

Visibility for both motorists and cyclists as they pass through will be better and the cost of illuminating the tunnel could decline by as much as from £50,000 annually to less than £10,000.

Dana Skelley, Director of Roads at TfL and Chair of the UK Lighting Board, said: "LED technology and other energy saving methods are opportunities that all highway authorities should be looking at as they can bring benefits both to road users and the authority."

Elsewhere in the south-east, safety upgrades continue apace at Blackwell Tunnel and it is believed the work will be completed by December of this year - 12 months ahead of schedule.

Posted by Sarah Bailey