Town to trial wind turbines to power street lights

The company that makes the turbines said the roadside was an ideal spot for them

Wind turbines powered by air from passing vehicles will be used to supply a number of street lights in Telford.

The turbines turn in low wind speeds and Telford and Wrekin Council said it hoped to sell any surplus energy back to the national grid.

It will be the first in the UK to trial this new technology on public highways, the local authority said.

The pilot, on the A442, begins later in the year and more turbines could be set up, if it is successful.

Telford and Wrekin Council said it would work with British company Alpha 311 on the project, which has been underwritten by a third party, meaning no cost to the local authority.

Similar wind turbines have already been installed on the O2 in London

Alpha 311 CEO Barry Thompson said the turbines were already mounted on a number of buildings, but this would be the first time they were installed alongside a road.

Carolyn Healy, the council's cabinet member responsible for tackling climate change, said the authority had "a strong track record on innovative sustainability", including owning its own solar farm.