Forum Topic

Leaning on the Lampposts

Was very interested to read the recent coverage on this site of the controversy over the moving of lampposts around the borough. It would be nice to have any heritage lampposts at all in Acton so I don't have an axe to grind either way. Seems to me that the Council is doing the right thing given that no money is available to provide new lampposts and it makes sense to concentrate them all in one area foe aesthetic reasons if nothing else. If they are going to be put in one place the most central area is the obvious one. I'd rarely go to Hanwell so at least I'd get a chance to see one every now and again.

Andy Jones ● 6608d16 Comments

"Seems to me that the Council is doing the right thing..."Not if you live in the Hanwell Village Green Conservation Area Andy or you're like the admirable Ms.Pankhurst of sunny Hanwell who chained herself to one of the lamposts in question.  Speaking as a resident right in the middle of the excellent Ealing Heritage Quarter, I'd welcome having some "new" classy street furniture, but not at the expense of my good friends in Hanwell. I do think our Council have got it wrong on this occasion.  ;-(

Gerry Tan ● 6608d

It is hard to argue with such commitment but from a purely logical point of view spreading these lampposts across the borough mixed in with newer less attractive ones lessens their aesthetic benefit whereas concentrating them in a single area displays them as they were meant to be.

Andy Jones ● 6603d

Why should those who shout loudest and engage in PR stunts necessarily get their way? As Andy says this seems like a very sensible practical decision. Either you accept that it is better to place the lampposts in an area where lots of people will see them and their benefit will not be reduced by the presence of other less attractive lights or,  if you really want to be fair then why shouldn't they be spread out across the borough with areas like Hanwell having to share them with other parts that don't currently benefit?

Paul Cavanagh ● 6597d

Presumably they would be seen without the presence of less attractive lights by leaving them where they are?I'm not sure how many people need to see them in order for critical mass to be achieved, but I can't remember the last time I saw anyone stop and admire a lamppost either in Hanwell or, come to think of it, on the Mall.I'm not against them staying or moving - I just think it might be a case of Nero fiddling.

Piero Vitelli ● 6595d

I can remember, just,when Acton was Gas Lit, Ealing and Hammersmith had long since gone electric. Somehow quite evocative, certainly in the side roads at the top of Bromyard Avenue, and around the Shepherds Bush Cricket Club, which in those far off days still had a rural feel, especially along East Acton Lane. End of WW2 saw the end of Gas Lighting, a distant memory now, although there is a small example in Central London near the Royal Parks I think.Point is that these cast iron columns in Ealing were originally Gas Lamps.

Colin Vaughan ● 6595d

Fascinating. And clear proof that Acton should have these lampposts not Hanwell or Ealing!

Andy Jones ● 6589d

Wow I didn't know Hanwell had suffragette  connections Gerry!

Viv Ellis ● 6588d

If these Lamps are really going to be 'Heritage',then at least they should be fitted with 'Latern' type tops, so that  they look like the Gas Lamps that they originally were. Most are fitted with a 'Swan Neck'conduit, with a lamp stuck on the end, only the Column being original! A suitably shaped 'Energy Saver' of the right wattage to compensate for light output, plus a 'flicker flame' neon to simulate the pilot light that Gas Lamps were fitted with would at least make them look more authentic!

Colin Vaughan ● 6588d

Maybe Gerry could pose as 'The Old Lamplighter' for the benefit of the Tourists.Complete with Bike, flat hat etc.

Colin Vaughan ● 6587d

As one of the protestors i found the SEAL information most illuminating! The reason for the Heritage Quarter is that SEAL had the Council over a barrel, and good luck to them. Both Labour and Tory Councillors have been misled by the PFI providors and the Officers, But SEAL had the time, expertise and the inclination to debunk all the deceptions. One justification for us getting new Lamps was Crime Prevention. However since the new Lamps have arrived we have suffered a Crime Wave making Hanwell a High Crime area. So overspecified lamps are insalled by a company that supplies our Electricity. So who are the losers?? Not Council Officers on £100K a year but humble Council Tax payers. There is also the way the Hanwellites were treated as Lefty scumbags by the Tory Councillors. We have also failed to find out when the Consultation with us actually took place, (which is in contravention of the PFI Contract). To be honest i would prefer the new Hockey stick to the silly Disney Heritage lamps that have been installed here. Also many of the new Lamps are up in the Trees so who has to pay for Tree Pruning, yes yet again Council Tax Payers. So for us Value for Money residents who wanted a change from the Old Administration we now have dissapointment.

Peter Chadburn ● 6587d

Point of information: who or what is SEAL?

Andy Jones ● 6574d

SEAL are the Save Ealing Antique Lamposts brigade who consist of various engineers and others. see the West ealing neighbours web site for details.apparently when the lamps in the Heritage area get re-furbished they will have bits added on to them by Southern Electric which will make them taller and out of proportion. The PFI people really hate old lamp posts!!

Peter Chadburn ● 6573d

I did read that Ealing is the worst lit borough in London though so I suppose something needs to be done. When I walk home from Northfields tube in winter, it is pretty murky in the side streets (Belsize, Cranmer etc). All those alleyways are unnerving too. My daughter got mugged by someone who jumped out of one of those.

Penny Crocker ● 6573d

As I said in this thread earlier.All that is needed is an authentic Lantern, and it is possible to obtain these from manufacturers specialising in that sort of thing.I know this as I have worked as a voluteer on a couple of Heritage Railways that required such items.If fitted with modern Son lamps, that would be perfectly adequate

Colin Vaughan ● 6573d

Whilst I would agree that alley ways and side streets should be lit according to my friend who lives in another borough we can see far more stars here because there is less ambient lighting.

Andy Jones ● 6567d

Well that can be achieved by properly designed low light polution lights Christine. In Barnet we have had the first generation of these lights for a number of years, and I remember after their installation that provided we had a clear night stars could be seen. Trouble was ajacent Boroughs hadn't bothered, so to a certain extent our efforts were negated.We now have a programme of replacement along with Enfield of second generation low light polution lights.Hopefully this will make things even better.I must say though, it is still nothing like the sort of night time scenario that on gets in the remoter parts of Scotland and Ireland.In those parts a clear night is truelly awesome, and suddenly you realise how insignificant we are on this Planet. A few really dark nights like that might shake the population out of its inward looking insularity, but unfortunately it would also be a Muggers Paradise.

Colin Vaughan ● 6567d