In order to save money and cut down on pollution, The Highways Agency has revealed it is removing motorway lights.
Junctions 10 to 13 of the M1 between Luton and Milton Keynes will have lights permanently removed starting in the next couple of weeks, announced the agency. It has stressed that junctions will remain lit.
Work is also underway to make this section of the M1 what the Highways Agency calls a ‘managed motorway’, with variable speed limits and the option to use the hard shoulder during congested periods.
Highways Agency director Derek Turner said: “Since 2009 we've switched lighting off between the hours of midnight and 5am on 14 carefully selected stretches of motorways and evidence so far indicates that switching off the lights hasn't had an impact on safety. This is not about wishing to remove all lights from the motorway network.”
Turner said that the move is expected to save 810 tonnes a year of CO2 emissions and that the money saved would be better spent in other areas where it would have a greater impact. Some motoring groups have criticised the move, however, saying that it would have serious safety repercussions.
Steve Garrod, DIA group manager, said that the concerns are unfounded: “Headlights are better than ever these days, and as long as signs remain well-lit there shouldn’t be any problems. If drivers are worried about motorway driving then we do recommend they get some tuition from an advanced driving instructor.”