I travelled through Thorpe Interchange last month and large sections of original lighting have been removed from some sliproads.I took a detour today to look at the situation.
On the slip roads leading from the M25 anticlockwise towards the M3 in both directions all the existing columns have been removed, with the exception of those mounted to the bridges which have to date only had their brackets removed. There are also now shiny stepped-profile aluminium columns along these slip roads, though headless (not fitted with lanterns) at present. All the other slip roads still retain their existing lighting.
So, it would appear a replacement scheme has started, and that it is the beginning of the end for the SOX and remaining 'bricks'.
UPDATE: looking at planned roadworks, the replacements supposedly go on until March time.
3 weeks ago there wasn't any change to the lighting from the M25 clockwise to the M3 southbound. I will be travelling the same route tomorrow for an update.
This morning the scene from the M3 northbound to the M25 anticlockwise showed most of the original lighting extant, but with several columns not working and little evidence of new works. The following are all dash cam images.
M3 junction 2 at the start of the link to the M25 anticlockwise, just pass the split for LHR.
Slightly further on, about to cross over the M3.
Merging with the M25, Philips MAs on the left.