Motorway lights go out to cut carbon emissions

As of midnight tonight, the area between the junctions of the M27 eight and seven will be cast into darkness until 5 am, in an effort to decrease carbon emissions by approximately 40%.

Before selecting the area of the M27 in Hampshire the Highways Agency conducted a careful study to choose a low traffic area with an excellent traffic safety record.

In March the same experiment was executed in the southwest with excellent results, leading to the first test site of four incoming blackout sites in the south east of the M27.

For safety reasons the junctions and the approaches near Southampton will remain lighted.

Not only will carbon emissions most likely be reduced by 90 tons but the costs of energy to light the M27 is expected to decrease by over £17,000 per year after all four sites are revealed for the blackouts.

The Highways Agency has not yet released information on the other three M27 blackout test site locations, but will release it on a need to know basis as the experiment continues.

Despite careful analysis of traffic road safety activists are expected to speak against the new lighting emission reductions.