The county council has announced that Skanska has been awarded the contract to provide Gloucestershire's LED lighting scheme.

In July 2014, the cabinet agreed that the council should begin a competitive tender process for a contract covering an LED lighting scheme and the general maintenance of the council's street lighting, lit signs and bollards. This will be for up to 12 years with an estimate full life value of GBP 41 million (US $ 63.89 million).

A Skanska employee inspecting a LED streetlight. (Skanska/LEDinside)

Modern LED lighting uses up to 70% less energy than conventional street lights and has a much longer life, so it is more reliable. With the help of funding from government these street lights can be centrally managed by the council using a central management system, with significantly reduced maintenance costs.

By making the decision to use more LED street lights now, the council will make financial savings of about GBP 22 million over the next 12 years.

The benefits also include a reduced impact on the environment by cutting light pollution, giving a more focused, whiter light and a smaller carbon footprint due to the system using less energy.

This is a vital element of the council's plan to meet its carbon reduction target and there are already several thousand LED street lights in operation in the county.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and flood said: "LED lighting is a modern, energy efficient system with many benefits. It will mean we are using less energy and reducing our impact on the environment as well as saving money long term."

After interest from 11 companies, the council invited five - Amey, Balfour Beatty LP, Galliford Try, Skanska and SSE - to submit a full tender. Overall, Skanska's tender offered the best value for the county.