Hampshire County Council powers ahead with LED streetlighting expansion

The Hampshire County Council upgrade programme will see existing lighting units replaced with modern LED alternatives. The new lights are significantly more energy efficient, expected to reduce electricity consumption and associated carbon emissions by around 60%, while also offering a longer lifespan and improved light quality.
 
Councillor Lulu Bowerman, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Passenger Services, said: “Expanding the use of LED lighting is another step forward in our efforts to cut energy use and carbon emissions to protect the environment now and for generations to come. This investment will save money year after year, help us recover the upfront costs of the technology, and provide residents with better-quality lighting across the county.”

The first phase of the LED rollout will begin in April and will deliver 9,300 lights installed on non-residential roads by the end of the year. A second phase will replace 17,500 lights on both main traffic routes and residential streets, with completion by spring 2028.

During installation, each unit typically takes 15–20 minutes to replace, meaning the vast majority of locations will see no disruption. In a small number of areas, temporary traffic management will be required to ensure safety for both the public and the installation teams. The works will be delivered by the County Council’s streetlighting contractor, Enerveo.

Once both phases are complete, the programme will bring the total number of LED streetlights managed by the County Council to over 38,000 which is 26% of all streetlights across Hampshire. LED lighting is already used extensively in the South Downs and New Forest National Parks, and is standard for new housing developments, capital schemes, and routine maintenance replacements.

Further details of the areas where new LED lights will be installed can be found on the County Council’s website.