70 dual-carriageway, no lights...

[Maz]

This 70 dual carriageway is on my commute, but none of the streetlights are on for my ride back home in the evening. Is it legal for the lights to be off?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=whe...id=ULbCZbDaZmqH3-Ee04QVNQ&cbp=12,6.5,,0,10.36

 

[XmisterIS]

I know that there are stretches of the M27 and A27 near me that routinely have either lights off (presumably for works or saving money) or no lights at all, so I can't see that it is illegal.

I think it's a good thing where cars and motorbikes are concerned - you've already got a huge big light or two on the front, plus a nice wide road, no need for extra lights!

Where cycling is concerned, can you take an alternative route?

IMHO, bicycle + nat. speed limit dual carriageway + no hard shoulder + at night + no illumination = . Or possibly . (had to use a new smiley there!)

 

[snorri]

Some dual carriageways have no lights ever, not even lighting columns.

 

[Glow worm]

Make the most of it. I wish they'd switch the bloomin lot off!

 

[Noodley]

A road without light!!?? Run away run away, it's just not right...

 

[Maz]

Thanks for the replies. Most illuminating.

 

[trampyjoe]

As far as i know it is legal and actively encourage to save money (and carbon apparently, but lets not go there!). My question is how long before someone sues for damages caused by lights being switched off and sucessfully wins. Any money saved will soon dissappear as more and more claims come flooding in!

Round here they've switched off 2 out 3 lights.

As for the OP - can't you just take the lutterworth road?

 

[Holdsworth]

Turning street lights off, good for the council's wallet and means less air pollution and (important for me) light pollution. Could be a bit hairy though for vulnerable road users with weak or non-existent lights but not an issue for cars and m'cycles with mobile street lights fitted both to the front and rear

As far as I know there are no plans for Cheshire East council to follow suit with dimming or switching off lights. I just wish that the lights around my estate would have some form of shield fitted to direct the light where it's needed. The current design just lets it flood in all directions!

Oh and BTW I noticed the other week that the new Alderley Edge bypass has no street lights whatsoever. Although it does have a nice looking cycle path running along on both sides which looks adequate if you can where you are going!

 

[beastie]

This 70 dual carriageway is on my commute, but none of the streetlights are on for my ride back home in the evening. Is it legal for the lights to be off?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=whe...id=ULbCZbDaZmqH3-Ee04QVNQ&cbp=12,6.5,,0,10.36

Have you ever been outside the M25?

 

[Piemaster]

M62 has some unlit stretches too.

 

[Jezston]

Thanks for the replies. Most illuminating.

I'm not going to let you get away with that.

 

[Norm]

As far as i know it is legal and actively encourage to save money (and carbon apparently, but lets not go there!). My question is how long before someone sues for damages caused by lights being switched off and sucessfully wins. Any money saved will soon dissappear as more and more claims come flooding in!

Sue for damages to what?

 

[gentlegreen]

I just wish that the lights around my estate would have some form of shield fitted to direct the light where it's needed. The current design just lets it flood in all directions!

Shocking that it was ever legal to install lamps like that ...

 

[MattHB]

It isn't a legal requirement to light any road. It isn't even a requirement for any installed lights to work.

 

[Maz]

It isn't even a requirement for any installed lights to work.

I'll remember that one when my cateye batteries go flat.