4 December 2025
From 5 December, you’ll notice something different in the Burnley Tunnel—the pacemaker lights are changing from green to blue.
These lights aren’t just for looks.
They’re designed to help keep traffic moving smoothly through the tunnel by giving drivers a visual cue to maintain a consistent speed.
Since they were introduced in 2023, trips through the Burnley Tunnel have been up to 10% faster and stop-start traffic has dropped by 70%.
Why the colour change?
The switch to blue is part of a new seasonal rotation:
- Blue: Summer (Dec–Feb) and Winter (Jun–Sept)
- Green: Autumn (Mar–Jun) and Spring (Sept–Dec)
Rotating the colours helps extend the lifespan of the LED system, keeping the technology working at its best.
What do drivers need to do?
Nothing different—just drive as normal and stick to the speed limit. The lights will work the same way, moving at a set pace to help traffic flow.