VolkerHighways has started work to install energy efficient lights across Medway in Kent.

Medway Council awarded the contract, worth over £9million, to the company and the work is expected to be completed in July 2022.

The works will comprise the replacement of around 24,000 street lighting lanterns with efficient energy saving LEDs and the provision of a Central Management System (CMS). An additional 2,000 existing lanterns will also be retrofitted with CMS. By using LEDS with a CMS system, the lights can be controlled remotely, saving even more energy, minimising onsite maintenance and reducing costs for the council.


As part of the work, VolkerHighways will replace 3,500 concrete and 1,000 steel columns with aluminium units - a highly durable and aesthetically pleasing option. In heritage areas, a total of 1,350 lanterns will also be carefully refurbished or replaced with sympathetic designs.

The contract is additional to VolkerHighways' five-year Highways Term Maintenance Contract with Medway Council and extends VolkerHighways' existing coverage of the South East of the UK.

Alistair Thompson, managing director for VolkerHighways, said: "We have a long-standing relationship with Medway Council and so are delighted to be awarded this additional street lighting contract. It’s great to be part of a project that will deliver real environmental change, with a highly efficient energy saving lighting solution, that incorporates smart, future- proofed systems. We look forward to continuing to provide a high-quality service, that will enable us to strengthen our existing relationship within the communities we serve."