Plans to switch off motorway lighting between junctions 27 and 28 on the M25 have been delayed after public outcry. National Highways has postponed the controversial trial following serious safety concerns raised by local residents and Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez.
The trial was originally scheduled to begin on August 11, with the intention of turning off lights from Theydon Interchange to Brentwood to save taxpayers’ money. However, National Highways confirmed to the Recorder that the start date has now been put on hold as teams continue to “secure the roadworks needed” for the planned switch-off. No new start date has been announced.
Officials from National Highways explained that the trial is part of a wider initiative to assess whether permanent lighting is necessary across all parts of the motorway network. A spokesperson said, “Safety is our top priority, and we must spend taxpayers’ money where it will have greatest benefit to road users. We will only remove lighting if we are satisfied it is safe to do so after a trial period of operating with the lights switched off.” They also confirmed that lighting on junctions and slip roads would remain on throughout the trial period.
Local MP Julia Lopez has intervened by writing to National Highways and arranging a meeting with officials next week. She expressed her concerns, stating, “I’m worried about the potential impact. I want to know the full details of how they’ve assessed the safety of this move, including how many serious accidents happened when the lights were in use.” Crashmap data shows that there were 33 casualties between junctions 27 and 28 from 2014 to 2023, which has heightened safety worries.
With traffic expected to increase by 30% by 2037—exceeding 9,000 vehicles per hour through junction 28 at peak times—critics fear that switching off the lights could negatively affect road safety.
The year-long trial aims to compare night-time accident statistics with data from the previous five years to determine if turning off the lights leads to a deterioration in safety. National Highways emphasises that no final decision will be made until the trial concludes and safety is assured.
Originally published by UKNIP.
