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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

The Government are proposing to switch motorway lights off between Midnight - 5am to save the carbon footprint. This could put lives at risk. Saving the carbon foot print is a little too late.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/7929223/Motorway-lights-to-be-turned-off-to-save-cash-and-carbon.html

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 8:20 am Post subject:

Why is it "too late"? Surely any action taken is a positive step.
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Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

Not sure about that idea though. I didn't enjoy driving on a pitch dark motorway a few years ago.
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Rachel · Guest

What a great idea but it would save the same amount energy or more to switch every other light off all the time and we'd still be able to see.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19379 Location: Cheshire

Switching half of them off sounds a better idea but they are probably all on the same circuit so may not be possible.

H
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RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

I think you may be right, H - the motorway lights all come on at the same time.

Local councils are looking to do the same with street lighting. Suppliers and the Chinese manufacturers of domestic external and security lighting must be salivating at the prospect of everyone installing their own. The carbon footprint will become a great welly boot indentation.

Actually, when all the old street lighting (originally gas, some converted to electric but just like a little household bulb) was replaced with "sodium" in the late 1950s/60s it was so bright (in comparison) that they did switch half of them off at midnight, and I think that would be the better option. The surge in power needed to restart at 5am in the morning during the winter would surely defeat the energy/cost saving.
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Rachel · Guest

They could just take the blubs out of every other light... Smile

ColinB · Guest

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Maybe dimming street lights could save lives. I suppose on certain stretches of motorways this will not be possible due to risk of cars have head on collisions.

ColinB · Guest

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

It's another mad, bonkers scheme from a bonkers government

Fog on the Tyne · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 1094

When you take a look at a night time satellite photo of Europe,it's apparent that this country is probably the worst for light pollution so maybe we have too many lights on our major roadways.
I'm not in favour of a switch off but I'm sure a reduction in the amount would be possible without creating dangerous conditions.
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ColinB · Guest

When flying over London at night (on approach to either Luton, Standsead or Birmingham airports for instance) it's interesting to be able to see the track of all the major motorways really easily - easpecially the M25 almost in its entirety.

There are sections of the M1 where alternate lights are switched off for several night-time hours and it doesn't affect visibility at all. Using that principle alone would effectively cut down energy consumption by 50% within those periods.

I can't see how it would lead to "head-on collisions" though! Isn't that what the central barriers are designed to prevent?

Rolling Eyes

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

ColinB · Guest

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

What about all the Government & Council buildings with all lights blazing all night?
What about the giant neon photos from the Debates Nic Clegg has erected of himself all over the country?

Lowering the voltage of lighting on Motorways & other roads could be a good idea, but not switching them off completely

Fog on the Tyne · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 1094

Agree with you about the lit-up buildings Clive.All the fuss that's made about leaving TVs on stand-by and half of the bulidings in the country are lit-up like Christmas trees.
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