Road Lighting (Hansard, 25 March 1991)

§ Dr. Twinn
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will identify any environmental considerations which prevent the lighting of the Swanley-Sevenoaks section of the M25.

§ Mr. Chope
The decision whether to light the section of M25 motorway between Swanley and Sevenoaks will be based on a comprehensive appraisal of all relevant factors, including a full assessment of the environmental impacts. These will include the appearance of lighting by day and by night and its impact on the quality of the environment in the vicinity. The road safety and economic cost/benefit assessments will also be included.

§ Dr. Twinn
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to light the unlit section of the M4 motorway; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Chope
We have no plans at present to light unlit sections of the M4. The provision of additional lighting will be considered in conjunction with current planning for widening the M4.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is responsible for the M4 motorway in Wales.

§ Dr. Twinn
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has plans to light the unlit sections of the M40 motorway; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Chope
It is planned to light the M40 motorway between junctions 4 and 5 by the end of 1991. The provision of additional lighting will be considered in conjunction with planning for widening the M40, at present in hand.

§ Dr. Twinn
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will monitor the volume of traffic on the Swanley-Sevenoaks section of the M25 motorway with a view to installing lighting to improve safety.

§ Mr. Chope
The traffic volume and night-time accident records are already monitored on the Swanley to Sevenoaks section of M25 motorway so that the case for the installation of lighting can be properly assessed.

§ Dr. Twinn
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the effect of lighting of roads on night-time accidents; and what is his policy on the accident prevention value of lighting of roads.

§ Mr. Chope
Research in this country and elsewhere has shown that the average reduction in night-time accidents attributable to road lighting is about 30 per cent. There is, however, substantial variation between locations, depending on the type of road and other features. The figure of 30 313W per cent. is used by the Department for economic assessment of proposed road lighting schemes for motorways and trunk roads.