Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is to replace around 14,000 street lights with LEDs, thanks to new funding.

The Green Investment Bank (GIB) has pledged to invest £8.2 million while the Department of Transport (DfT) is providing a £5.1 million grant.

The council will also use the cash to replace 4,000 illuminated signs with energy-saving alternatives.

The LEDs are expected to help reduce energy use by 55% – saving the council around £25 million in 25 years – and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 16,500 tonnes a year.

According to GIB, LEDs can last more than six times longer than standard bulbs.

Councillor Martin Terry, Executive Member for Public Protection, Waste & Transport at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: “Bringing this popular project forward is a win-win situation. The sooner we replace every lamp in the Borough, the sooner we can save money, reduce carbon emissions and provide residents and motorists with brighter, cleaner light.”

Replacing all the street lights in the UK with LEDs could help save £200 million every year, GIB’s report found last year.

It signed a similar agreement with Glasgow City Council earlier this year.