WORK to replace traffic lights in Richmond is likely to cause delays for a up to three weeks – but the new lamps will be more energy efficient.

The £36,000 project will replace lights controlling traffic at the busy Gallowgate and Pottergate junction in the town, along with underground chambers and ducts, some of which are 30 years old.

The new lights, at the junction of one of the main roads into and out of town will use energy saving equipment in the form of an extra low voltage controller, and LED lamps, saving up to 80 per cent in running costs.

The work is due to begin on Sunday, February 17.

Traffic signals engineer Peter Horne said: “If we changed all lights in the county to this system the council would save a lot of money – they are more efficient as they have such a low voltage.

“The work has to be done in a very old part of Richmond so you never know what we might find when we dig up the road, but hopefully it will not take any longer than three weeks."

County councillor Stuart Parsons said: “This is a busy junction, on an important road into Richmond, and the contractors are aware that the work needs to be completed as quickly as possible to minimise disruption.

“It’s important to emphasise that Richmond will be very much open for business as usual during the course of this upgrading.”

County Councillor Gareth Dadd, Executive Member for Highways, said: “As well as being significantly cheaper to operate, the new lights will make an important contribution to reducing our carbon footprint.”

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