The Mayor of London has announced that Transport for London (TfL) is to install “energy-busting” LEDs at 3,500 traffic lights at around 300 junctions in the city.

The reason, according to TfL, is that LED technology reduces electricity consumption— and the associated CO2 emissions that cause climate change—by a massive 60 per cent.

These 300 new LED-equipped junctions will save 600 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year and around £200,000 in energy costs. LED lamps will replace the existing bulbs at 3,500 traffic signal heads, each of which currently contain at least three bulbs.

This introduction of LED traffic lights is claimed to be the largest of its kind in the UK. TfL is seeking to stimulate the development of LED traffic signals and to encourage more manufacturers to join the market.

It is expected that there will be a greater take-up across the UK as a result of TfL's commitment to introducing the lights in large numbers.

The new lights are part of the Mayor's efforts to reduce the Capital's CO2 emissions by a total of 60 per cent by 2025.