No increase in accidents on M1 since route lighting switched off

ReSPoNDING to an email from Louth tD Fergus o’Dowd, the tII (transport Infrastructure Ireland, the State agency for road and public transport infrastructure) confirmed that route lighting at junctions 7, 8 and 9 on the M1 motorway have been switched off as part of a suite of initiatives in relation to energy usage reduction measures.

In his email, Deputy o’Dowd outlined concerns he had received from motorists who use the M1 motorway and who were unhappy at the lack of appropriate lighting at junctions 7, 8 and 9. the Fine Gael tD asked if accident rates had increased in these locations since the lights were switched off and if there were plans to turn them back on with renewable sources.

In response, a representative from the tII confirmed that the lighting had been switched off and stated that this has had no implications for road safety.

“Dear Deputy o’Dowd, thank you for your email of 9 May regarding traffic route lighting on the M1. the position in relation to your enquiry is as follows.

“TII can confirm that route lighting along the M1 route has been switched off, as has route lighting on many