NOTTINGHAMSHIRE County Council’s highways division has been short-listed for two national awards.

The first is Highway Magazine’s Excellence Award for Best Use of New Technology in the highways Industry.

The Council has been shortlisted for its development of LED lighting systems that are now being retro-fitted into existing street lighting columns as part of a £1.5m energy saving programme.

The second is the same magazine’s Excellence Award for Best Road Safety Project of the Year for which the Council has been nominated for its work on the A614.

This has seen the implementation of a new speed limit; installing time over distance safety cameras; various highway improvements and maintenance works — including congestion-reducing improvements at Lockwell Hill roundabout — and extensive resurfacing along the route, all of which have led to an effective reduction in the number of people killed and seriously injured along the route.

The awards will be announced on October 21 at a ceremony to be held at the Lancaster Hotel in London.

“This is brilliant news and is all down to the hard work and dedication of the highways team, all of whom should be congratulated,” said Coun Kevin Greaves, chairman of the County Council’s transport and highways committee.

The news comes hot on the heels of recent national recognition for the work undertaken by highways which has resulted in Nottinghamshire achieving the largest annual reduction in those killed and seriously injured on its roads.