Warwickshire County Council has announced a significant investment to make temporary street lighting, originally installed for HS2 construction works, a permanent feature. The highways authority is set to approve the use of £500,000 from a dedicated HS2 road safety fund to retain the lighting on a section of the Fosse Way.
Funding and Road Safety Legacy
The funding is drawn from a substantial £8 million-plus pot provided by the Department for Transport (DfT). This money is specifically earmarked for projects that leave a lasting legacy of road safety improvements in areas affected by the high-speed rail project. A council report explicitly states that "retention of this asset on a permanent basis will deliver a road safety benefit on the Fosse Way well beyond the construction phase of HS2."
The temporary lighting was initially erected earlier this year during the construction of the Fosse Way overbridge. This work was part of a larger package that also included road resurfacing, additional drainage, and utilities diversions. The lighting is located east of Leamington Spa and south-west near the village of Offchurch.
Meeting the Funding Deadline
The council is working against an initial deadline to allocate the final portion of this funding by the end of 2026. The report acknowledges that the associated works cannot be finished by this date. However, the authority is "seeking agreement" with HS2 Ltd, which controls the funding, for an extension. Completing the project by the original deadline would now interfere with the ongoing work to build the new railway line itself.
To date, a total of 37 projects have received funding from this specific HS2 safety fund. The remaining £3.3 million is earmarked for this lighting scheme, enhancement works at the A446 junction of Birmingham Road and Stonebridge Road in Coleshill, and potentially other smaller-scale projects.
Approval and Next Steps
The final decision on the proposal rests with Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, Councillor Stephen Shaw (Reform UK, Polesworth). The plans are scheduled for his approval on Friday, 21st November.
Works on the HS2 project continue throughout Warwickshire and into Birmingham, where the line will eventually terminate at the redeveloped Curzon Street Station in the city centre. An official opening date for the high-speed passenger service has not yet been confirmed.
