HL Deb 08 July 2002 vol 637 c61WA
Lord Fearn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures are being taken to ensure full overhead lighting on the M1 and M6 motorways. [HL4770]

The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr Tim Matthews, to write to the noble Lord.

Letter from the chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr Tim Matthews, dated 2 July 2002.

I have been asked by the Transport Minister, Lord MacDonald, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the provision of full overhead lighting on the M1 and M6 motorways.

When considering whether or not to light a particular section of motorway, we consider the potential for reducing accidents and the environmental impact of additional lighting, particularly in rural areas where there is little or no existing light pollution.

The motorways in question have good accident records. The number of night-time incidents reported is below the national average and there are no plans to install overhead lighting on either.