§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the contribution which switching wherever practical to(a) energy-efficient light bulbs and (b) semiconductor (gallium nitride) illumination in traffic lights, would make toward meeting the UK' s obligations under the Kyoto Accord. [84549]
§ Mr. MealeWe have made no overall assessment of potential energy savings from improved traffic lights but we are aware of the developing technology in this area which could yield savings in the longer term. In particular, my Department participates in an International Energy Agency technology procurement agreement which includes a project to bring forward semi-conductor (Light Emitting Diode) traffic light technology. The first UK site trial was started last summer. Savings in both energy and replacement costs of as much as 60 per cent. are predicted but no firm figures are yet available. The trial was actively encouraged by the Highways Agency who formed a partnership, to promote this technology, with Bristol City Council and the manufacturer.
Since then the traffic light developed from that trial has been approved against the national specification. Several local authorities have already installed the new signals. There is at present only the one company involved but the recent approval is encouraging several others, who are now actively engaged in the approval process.