2 Million To Light Switch On M65 Lights

A motorway boss has stated that it would be virtually impossible to switch back on the lights on the M65 without first installing a completely new system costing £2 million. East Lancashire MP Andrew Stephenson has mentioned that it was in a ‘No way back situation’ after following an admission from the Highways Agency. It has been branded ‘a joke’ and ‘disgusting’ by the fiancée of Mark Burgess, who had recently died days after he had complained how dark the road was. Although it is not known if lighting was a factor to the incident, other motorists who had crashed into the debris had said they were unable to see it because it was so dark.

The Highways Agency’s divisional director, Matt Sweeting, who is based in Manchester, says that the lights could not be switched back on, due to the existing columns being allowed to reach the end of their working lives. He had said the roads are constantly becoming ‘safer’ with certain factors as headlights on cars, drivers’ competency and shorter stopping distance all improving. Mr Sweeting said: “With the full switch off, we have decommissioned the lights and they cannot be used anymore.”

Kirsty Tipping, Mr Burgess’ fiancée, who lives in Abbey Village, near Chorley, said: “To me, it does not matter how much it costs if it could save lives. It seems ridiculous, a joke, that they cannot switch them back on. Surely they can find a cheaper way.” Pendle representative Mr Stephenson wrote to the department for transport to complain about how dark the road was on behalf of his constituent. Mr Stephenson was told that even though the lampposts were still in place, it was not possible to turn the lights on because the internal systems were broken.

In the letter, the minister responsible for the Highways Agency, Robert Goodwill said: “Where lighting is switched off permanently, the lighting columns are removed as soon as possible, for example, where the agency has other works planned on its network. I realise that in the meantime, motorists may gain the impression that the lighting could be switched on again. This is not the case, as once the lighting has been permanently switched off; it cannot be switched on again.”

But Mr Goodwill has now promised an ‘in depth review’ of the situation, which was welcomed by Mr Stephenson. He went on to say, “From what he says about the current lighting having reached the end of its serviceable life and needing to be replaced, it is clear that turning the lights back on would not be as easy as some think. However, if it is shown that the lack of lighting has led to an increase in accidents on the M65, I would still support the campaign to re-light this section of the motorway.”