Switching Off Motorway Lights to Reduce Carbon

In order to save money, cut carbon emissions, and reduce light pollution, three stretches of motorway will now have their lights permanently switched off. The stretches of the highway where this is applicable is : the M58 between Skelmersdale Junction 4 to Orrell Junction 6; the M65 between Dunkenhalgh Park Junction 7 to Burnley Junction 10 and on the M66 between Walmersley Junction 1 to Simister Roundabout Junction 4.

Permanently switching off lights can save the highways agency £206.700 a year.

Derek Turner, Director for the Highways Agency said, “Evidence so far indicates that switching off the lights hasn’t had an impact on safety. Analysis also suggests that driver behavior does not appear to have been affected in terms of traffic volumes and speed. We are confident we can now begin to permanently switch off motorway lights at certain sites. This is not about wishing to remove all lights from the motorway network. It’s about carefully identifying the locations where, under the revised guidelines, we would not consider installing lighting. The money saved could then be used elsewhere on the Strategic Road Network where it would have a more significant safety benefit and potentially save more lives.”



Source-Medindia