The Highways Agency has announced that it will be removing sections of lighting on the M1 in Bedfordshire in a continuing effort to cut carbon emissions and light pollution. The motorway junctions and their approaches, and a section of the M1 on either side of junction 11 will remain lit. Derek Turner, Director for the Highways Agency, said “This is not about wishing to remove all lights from the motorway network.”

Instead it is the result of revised standards for lighting on England’s major roads introduced in 2007. A careful assessment has been made, and the Highways Agency are confident that the decision will not affect road used safety. The work will be carried out in phases until autumn 2012. A low-light CCTV camera system will also be installed so the Highways Agency can continue to monitor the area.