CU Phosco and M Group Highways complete strategic lighting infrastructure improvements in Gloucester

CU Phosco, working with M Group Highways on behalf of Gloucestershire County Council, has successfully completed a lighting replacement scheme on Metz Way, Gloucester. The project involved the removal and replacement of high mast structures and installation of LED street lighting to improve safety, reduce maintenance demands, and support local connectivity on one of the city’s busiest distributor roads.

Metz Way is a vital part of Gloucester’s transport infrastructure, linking residential areas like Abbeymead and Abbeydale to the city centre and playing a central role in the local economy. The route includes key junctions such as Eastern Avenue and provides access to major developments and commuter corridors, including bridges over railway lines.

As part of ongoing routine maintenance, five high masts were identified as nearing the end of their operational life and requiring replacement. Gloucestershire County Council carried out a desktop study to determine the best way forward, concluding that a combination of new high mast lighting and LED street lanterns would provide optimal coverage, particularly in areas where traditional columns were unsuitable due to Network Rail access constraints.

M Group Highways, the council’s maintenance contractor, successfully tendered for the works with a specification that included CU Phosco products. Having worked closely with M Group Highways for several years on mast maintenance across the county, CU Phosco was well placed to support this project through design, manufacture and installation.

The project scope included:

• Design, manufacture and installation of 4 x 20m high masts, each equipped with 6 P855 luminaires and 2 FL800D-2 floodlights
• Supply-only of 16 P862 LED lanterns for street lighting columns
• Removal and disposal of five existing high masts
• Bespoke foundation studs covers designed and installed to protect foundations of decommissioned masts for potential future use
• Pull-off testing of existing studs

With sections of Metz Way elevated above Network Rail infrastructure, careful planning was required to manage access and ensure safe working conditions. CU Phosco worked to tight deadlines to minimise disruption to local traffic and reduce the impact on ongoing development and transport routes in the area.

The lighting infrastructure upgrade has delivered a compliant and modern lighting solution that improves visibility and safety for all road users. The use of energy-efficient LED lanterns and future-ready high mast infrastructure reduces ongoing maintenance requirements and supports Gloucestershire County Council’s long-term strategy for resilient, sustainable public lighting.

The retention and protection of foundations for potential future reuse reflects a practical and resource-conscious approach to asset management. Meanwhile, the collaboration between CU Phosco and M Group Highways ensured a smooth delivery process from design through to installation.

Jack Benham, Project Manager at M Group Highways, commented: “Metz Way is a key artery into Gloucester, and this scheme needed to be delivered quickly and with minimal disruption. Working with CU Phosco, we were able to provide Gloucestershire County Council with a robust, energy-efficient lighting solution. Their high mast expertise and ability to deliver on challenging access requirements were instrumental to the success of this project.”