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East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight fails in motorway lighting appeal

9:46am Thursday 9th September 2010 in


THE Government has rejected a bid by East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight to keep motorway lighting switched on in the early hours.

The MP called on roads minister Mike Penning in a Commons question to tell the Highways Agency, which is responsible for the nation’s most important roads, that road safety should be more important than the reduction of light pollution and the lights should stay on between midnight and 5am.

But the minister wrote in reply that the move by the agency was to reduce carbon emissions and that it was carefully monitoring motorway sections where road lighting was off between midnight and 5am.

The minister also rejected a bid by Mr Knight to make the Government tell local authorities not to black out highways at night, saying it was a matter for local decision.

The exchange occurred as county councils come under fire for cutting back on street lighting to save money.

Comments(8)

nasrudin says...
10:09am Thu 9 Sep 10

I've never had a problem with driving on unlit motorways -- sounds like a very sensible idea to me. It'll also mean there's less light pollution!

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Stevie D says...
10:56am Thu 9 Sep 10

Many motorways are unlit, and on routes like the M62 where there isn't a huge amount of traffic and the junctions aren't too close together, lighting is an unnecessary luxury.

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again says...
11:30am Thu 9 Sep 10

Of course motorists on unlit sections could always try slowing down to the speed limit.

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MLewisW says...
11:39am Thu 9 Sep 10

There are some small villages that have street lighting (the one I'm thinking of has one solitary lamppost) that is left on all hours. These are also a waste. I can understand street lighting in a city for safety, but in extremely rural villages and hamlets these are a waste of tax money and the environment.

Back on point, I agree with the government, complete waste of time having lights on the motorway.

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Fred the Shred says...
12:23pm Thu 9 Sep 10

Ooh, the irony of worrying about the carbon emissions from a few street lamps on a three-lane MOTORWAY! Just a thinly veiled cost cutting measure. The environment, much like "elf & safety" seem to be convenient scapegoats for most political decisions/taxes these days....

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leninwasright says...
1:31pm Thu 9 Sep 10

A vast amount of street lighting is unnecessary. It's an urban myth that lighting reduces crime or aids safety. Read Jane Jacobs “Death and Life of Great American Cities“.

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Silver says...
8:52pm Thu 9 Sep 10

After driving home from Luton Airport at 2 in the morning and being exhausted I'm actually gutted. Mainly because having to sleep in my car till light comes up to get home or drive exhausted on lit motorways. Whilst being a responsible driver I can say it has 100% helped. Hope this doesn't come into effect before my holiday this year. As i'll be home at 1 in the morning this time. Will try to sleep on the plane but find it difficult. That and airports car park charge you if you've not left the car park by a certain time of coming back.

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bloodaxe says...
8:46am Fri 10 Sep 10

I'm not sure that driving while exhausted under any conditions is advisable, roads being lit or not. I suspect that you're indulging in a bit of hyperbole. Why not get a hotel room and make your journey safer for everyone ?

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