Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like the Minister, I travel the motorways of the country. There is an inconsistency in traffic route lighting and some motorways are overlit. The lighting approaching, at and exiting junctions on the M1 from Dublin to the Border and beyond is far in excess of what is required. I have quantified this by considering the M7 and M8, which have similar exits and entrances. When one leaves a junction, there are 25 high-powered traffic route lights on both sides of the road, covering a quarter of a mile. I have also considered the situation in America. There are more traffic route lights on the M1 than there are on any interstate highway in the US. Maybe this is the requisite standard, but there is an inconsistency on the M7 and M8 in terms of the lighting at junctions. Is there a standard and is it based on a European or British standard?

There are in excess of 500 high-powered traffic route lights. This level is not necessary. There are CO2 emissions because more electricity is needed. I travel the motorways often. Many of the lights in question do not light for a considerable period. This is something we should consider in the interests of saving money. Anyone using the junctions at night has his or her lights on anyway. We could do without 75% of the road lights for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening, for example, from 4.30 a.m. or 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. This would mean reviewing the contacts or time switches, but a significant saving could be made in terms of electricity. I do not know whether the Department or the Minister shares my opinion, but there is an inconsistency. I can say this without fear of contradiction. One need only consider how the junctions on the M8, M7 and M1 are not lit the same way. Some access junctions have 40 high-powered lights. I contend that they are not required. Perhaps we should consider engaging in an exercise on this matter, although maybe I should not have raised it today.