TRAFFIC lights in North Yorkshire are going green thanks to new energy saving equipment.

The new system will reduce the amount of power consumed annually by 80 per cent and produce a carbon saving of two tonnes per site.

The saving is achieved through Extra Low Voltage controllers and Light Emitting Diode signals and North Yorkshire County Council is introducing the energy-saving measures at all new traffic signal installations.

They use 48 volts supply instead of the usual 230 volts and the ELV and LED units also mean improved electrical safety for both maintenance staff and members of the public.

Traffic signals recently installed in Tadcaster, Selby and Skipton now operate using the low voltage system. Whenever existing sites need to be refurbished in the future, the ELV system will be used.

County councillor Gareth Dadd, North Yorkshire’s executive member for highways, said: “This is a real step forward. The new low voltage controllers offer a big annual saving, both in terms of cost and the effect on the environment. This is an on-going programme and is all part of the continuing campaign to provide the most cost-effective services we can in North Yorkshire.”