Some Medway Messenger readers have reacted gloomily to the news lights on a section of the M2 are to be permanently turned off during the early hours.

The measure will come into place on May 7, when the lighting between the Chatham and Gillingham junctions will be switched off from midnight until 5am.

Related story: Lights off on M2 will help save the planet >>>

Writing under the name 'Once a copper', one man suggested "the lunatics have clearly taken over the asylum".

He argued drivers were "more likely to fall asleep at 3am on a 'safe road' with little traffic or junctions unless there is decent lighting to stimulate them".

Steve Hubbard from Medway agree, writing: "Are we going mad? We need to light up all motorways for their entire lengths to reduce deaths.

"Follow the Belgian example where all motorways have been lit up for decades."

One 'concerned' reader from Chatham commented, simply: "On there head be it when someone crashes becuase of this!"

Another criticism is whether switching off the lights for a few hours will actually have a considerable impact on reducing carbon emissions.

One reader using the name 'English Cad' said: "Yes, mankind needs to look after the environment - but these 'knee jerk' actions are just that, meaningless and totally irrelevant."

However, others have welcomed the idea.

Dave Hedgehog said: "Cars have lights front and back. Why do we ever need streetlights on motorways?”

Phil from Dover agreed: "Lighting huge stretches of empty motorway at 2am is wasteful and pointless. Cars have headlights and taillights so you can see where you’re going and what’s in front of you."

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