Nottingham City Council has successfully secured funding worth £631,374.47 from the Department for Transport (DfT) to modernise the city’s ageing traffic signal infrastructure.
The funding, awarded as part of the Traffic Signals Obsolescence Grant (TSOG), will be used to upgrade obsolete traffic signals throughout Nottingham by replacing older halogen lamps with energy-efficient LED lights.
A significant proportion of Nottingham’s traffic signal network relies on outdated technology, with almost 50% of the existing infrastructure still using incandescent halogen signal lamps.
These traditional lamps are not only energy-intensive but also have to be replaced frequently, increasing the maintenance costs and contributing to higher carbon emissions. The proposed upgrade aims to tackle these issues by retrofitting the older signals with LED modules that consume an average of 9 watts—a 75% reduction in energy use compared to the halogen lamps.
The DfT’s Traffic Signals Obsolescence Grant, which totals £30 million, is aimed at improving reliability and replacing obsolete traffic signal equipment across the country. Of this sum, £10 million has been allocated to Highway Authorities through the Integrated Transport Block (ITB) formula, while the remaining £20 million is distributed via a competitive challenge fund.
Nottingham City Council was successful in its application to this challenge fund, receiving £500,000 in addition to an automatic allocation of £131,374.47, bringing the total funding to £631,374.47.
The proposed LED retrofit is expected to significantly reduce energy consumption and maintenance requirements, with LED modules having a longer lifespan than traditional incandescent lamps. This means fewer replacements and reduced disruption for road users.
Furthermore, by retaining most of the existing infrastructure and simply retrofitting the signal heads, the project also aims to minimise waste and avoid unnecessary disposal of functional equipment.
The funding must be fully utilised by 31 March 2026, or any unspent grant money will be returned to the Department for Transport. The council is optimistic that all the upgrades will be completed within this timeframe, provided there are no significant delays in the supply chain for the LED signal equipment.
The upgrade of Nottingham’s traffic signals is seen as a critical step in reducing the city’s carbon footprint and improving the reliability of its transport infrastructure. The LED retrofit will bring the city’s infrastructure in line with modern standards, ensuring improved energy efficiency and enhanced road safety for Nottingham’s residents and commuters.
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