Motorway Lighting

Phosco152 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:33 pm

Phosco152 wrote:

The M69 J2 interchange with the M6, still incredibly retains MA60s on massive twin bracket columns. I can't think that they still work.

Since my last visit at the end of May, the M69 has undergone a LED conversion of it's lighting. Many of the tubular columns have new twin stub brackets, whilst the Petit Jean/Stanton hex folded metal type of columns have had new twin arm brackets fitted. On this style of column, there is a couple of metres of thin vertical tube that is part of the bracket/top of the column.

Just one small section of SOX survives - approx 6 columns- on the A46 approaching J2 from the west and heading eastbound on the slip road to the Coventry Eastern Bypass and hence the M6 roundabout. Dash cam footage in appalling weather.

MA50-GO · **Posted:** Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:35 am

Most of the columns between J24-25 of the M60 have now been removed. The remaining SOX was still working as of Nov 2023. The Lumas at J24 have now been disconnected. The SOX at J1 is still there although I doubt any of them are still working.

There is still SOX on the M61 at its junction with the M60, A666M and A580.

Phosco152 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 27, 2024 6:04 am

Amazingly, the MA50son the north bound slips of J15a of the M1 from the A43 are all still working, except for 2 lanterns out of around 20. Quite a sight.

Phosco152 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:09 am

These MA60s on twin bracket columns still survive on the M6/M69 interchange, although none of them are working.

sotonsteve · **Posted:** Thu Apr 18, 2024 1:29 pm

From National Highways' website:

Quote:

We recently switched off some sections of life-expired street lighting around the M25 network as part of our work towards achieving National Highways’ net zero targets.

This includes some sections of street lighting in the following areas:

10.4 miles between junctions 6 and 9
2 miles between junction 21a to 23
4 miles between junction 29 to 30

Switching off these lights is estimated to save around 676,800 kgCO2e; the equivalent of taking over 400 cars off the road a year or the energy use of 85.3 homes over one year. Some areas, such as around junctions and slip roads, will remain lit and continue to be maintained. This will allow motorists to adjust between the different lighting levels on the M25 main carriageway and local road networks.

We carried out a thorough safety review prior to switching off the lighting in these sections. The lighting columns will remain in place for up to two years while we undertake further post switch-off safety reviews and signs are currently in place to indicate to motorists where sections of lighting have been switched off.

Our evidence on the M25 network suggests that turning off lighting reduces incidents. This not only supports the government's Net Zero strategy, but also benefits the environment, helping wildlife and reducing light pollution.

In my opinion, it was about time some of these long lengths of lighting were switched off. The amount of energy and maintenance to be saved is enormous. Still plenty of lighting left on the M25 following these switch offs and potential removals, but with time I guess further sections will be assessed.

Phosco152 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 18, 2024 6:33 pm

Agreed, about time.

sotonsteve · **Posted:** Fri Apr 19, 2024 8:23 am

National Highways have funny ideas about what constitutes "life expired" though. The section between J6-9 has lighting dating to the 1996 widening scheme, so 28 years old, so getting on in age but by no means the oldest on the network. The J21a-23 and J29-30 sections have lighting dating back to the widening completed in 2012 though, so not really life expired, but nevertheless a bit excessive. Having said that, if talking about reliability of street lighting, then almost everything they've installed in the past decade down my way should be deemed life expired, because the new stuff is constantly failing.

Phosco152 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 19, 2024 5:41 pm

Not to mention a stretch of day burners - for months - between J6 and J9, so a bit hypocritical about reducing carbon.

sotonsteve · **Posted:** Sat Apr 20, 2024 2:57 pm

It's OK, National Highways compensates for having the greatest percentage of dayburners of any highway authority by also having the greatest percentage of non-working lighting at night of any highway authority too!

sotonsteve · **Posted:** Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:54 pm

Checking traffic cameras, the street lighting switch off on the southern sections of the M25 doesn't quite align with what they said, and is also hugely inconsistent. From traffic camera observations:

1. J6 to just before J7 has been switched off
2. Passing through J7, between J7-8 and through J8 is switched on
3. A short length west of J8 (the TrafficVision part?) is switched off
4. Much of J8-9 is switched on
5. A good length between J9 and Cobham Services is switched off

So, when they said J6-9, it feels like they meant J6-10, and I can't understand why most of J8-9 is still lit up when a short length west of J8 is off and a good length west of J9 is off.

The other sections seem to have been switched off more consistently as outlined.

Motorway Lighting

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