As expected the columns in the central reservation have now gone from the M3 at J2 where it meets the M25. Absolutely no trace of them ever being there but the slip/link road examples are still intact, although it is unclear if they still work.

This was the view at dawn today, not the best image due to the light levels and the image is from a dash cam. The bridge in the background of this image can just be made out in my earlier shot, the mobile phone mast on the left of that image is between the 2nd and 3rd columns on the left of this image.

Lighting upgrade works are currently in progress on parts of the CW and ACW sections of the M60, near Stockport in Greater Manchester. The route which was widened and reconfigured in 2006, was for the most part re-lit with Philips SON-T Traffic visions on verge side 12m columns. Up to 2006, most of the lighting was on the central reservation, using MA60s on Petitjean columns.

Now it seems that the Traffic Visions themselves are on their way out. New columns with Luma LED lanterns have appeared alongside them. The works seem to be concentrated from J4 to J5. I managed to take a snap of the current works over the weekend.

In addition to the above location, the stretch at J3 for Cheadle / Wilmslow A34 which is currently lit with Alpha 4s, is also getting upgraded presumably to LED.

_________________
"I can't think what you want to go to London for, you won't find any better lampposts there..."
L.S. Lowry. 1887-1976.

Some archaic clips from Thames News (1980s):

Clip 1: Former A102 (M) Blackwall tunnel approach with Alpha 6s, Alpha 9s and GEC Z9554s

Clip 2: Former A40 (M) with its original SOX lanterns

Clip 3: M1 catenary lighting at Jct 8

Clip 4: Dartford tunnel

Hi Alex,

Those videos are great, nice to see all the old cars.  What make/model where the catenary lights? I have one in my garden, it is a Phosco P415 and is very big and heavy, then again it does house two 180W lamps

Regards,

Andrew.

Thanks Andrew - it's a fantastic channel with plenty of old London Underground / rail footage, which is how I first came across it.

They are indeed Phosco P415 lanterns. Only a small section of the M1 south of the junction still have these.

Herts now has some of the first fully LED GSJs, with the A41 Kings Langley and Berkhamsted bypass junctions getting them on the mainline, sliproads and connecting roads. Some of the A1(M) junctions through Hatfield are going to have massive contrast, with the existing SOX on the mainline and sliproads combined with LED on the roundabouts and connecting roads.

Interesting but very general FOI request here.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ ... ing-654520

H.A. reckon the approximate average cost of installing a new lamp, column and cable is approx £2000.

Thanks for sharing that FOI request - very informative.

Hi all,

I have just got back from Leeds.  It was nice to see whilst driving up the M62 a collection of MA60s still in service.  I fear that their days may be numbered as the M62 is becoming a smart motorway.

Regards,

Andrew.

I've just been back from a trip to Guernsey and the Thorpe slip SOX is still intact mostly, perhaps been cut back a bit due to the works. Still nothing in the central res.

I also see the M25 hasn't had any LED upgrades yet, though the Trafficvisions around Heathrow are looking rather ill-maintained, some have slipped upside down on their brackets (screws not tight enough) and some columns have blown sideways. If the Heathrow runway extension gets the go-ahead that'll be the time these will be replaced.