Wednesday, October 11, 2017

PLEA TO SAVE TRADITIONAL BRIGG STREET LIGHTING



North Lincolnshire Council's new scheme to switch traditional street lights on 12 Brigg streets to LED bulbs using less electricity has not found favour with everyone.
Craig Austin has been in touch to say he would be interested to know what Brigg Blog and its  readers "think about the loss of those lovely old orange sodium street lights in and around Brigg as a result of this latest 'improvement' scheme."
Craig, who attached an email sent to the council's street lighting department, said: "I could be wrong but it appears to be a done deal with no room for compromise or any last minute tweaking"

WHAT CRAIG TOLD THE COUNCIL
In principle the proposed LED street lighting scheme for the Brigg area seems to be a good long term money & energy saving project.
However after reading the FAQ page on the website I was dismayed to read that there will no longer be any orange street lighting, which is to be replaced with white LEDs. This is a real shame as these lovely old sodium lights give out a warm, atmospheric and soothing glow that adds a pleasant ambiance to the local street scene. It would be very regrettable to see that comforting orange colour changed for no good reason as it is obviously all part of the charm and character of Brigg and surrounding villages. 
So the question is why can't the current orange sodium lights simply be converted into orange tinted LEDs?  It wouldn't be difficult and at little or no extra cost it would help retain that cosy, nostalgic feel-good quality of the original lamps. And why not? Otherwise it's yet another bit of our heritage lost and gone for ever. In any event, hasn't orange coloured lighting always traditionally been used to distinguish the main roads from residential streets and if so, why would this particular aspect suddenly need to be any different?
By comparison, most other street lighting nowadays is far too bright and harsh with an almost eerie ghoulish quality. There is already too much nasty glare and unhealthy light pollution everywhere as it is. Also in my long experience when driving at night, softer lighting is much more restful on the eyes and hence safer.
I realise that this might sound like a bit of a rant or much ado about nothing but couldn't the idea of tinted orange LED's at least be examined before installation commences?
Many other people would probably agree if they were consulted first and given the opportunity to consider it as as option. Anyway, I for one would be very sorry to see them disappear.


View details of the 12 Brigg streets earmarked to receive new LED lights through this link...

3 comments:

Ken Harrison said...

Light emitting diode (LED) lighting is cheaper, more efficient and last longer....
However, they illuminate a strong directional white light that can, if the LED's posts are not appropriately spaced, create the impression of 'dark shadows' alternating with the strong beams of white light.
In certain areas of Doncaster, there are concerns the drivers seem to be driving thro' alternating bright light/dark shadow.
Methinks, it not just a question of replacing the sodium with the LED unit, but also ensuring the the lamppost spacing corresponds to the arc of LED lighting (as to the comparatively wider arc of dimmrr sodium lighting)...

The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group said...

The present lighting is out of date meaning the cost of a replacement bulb can be sky high, much better going down the LED route.

Craig Austin said...

If you read my comments properly I'm not saying keep the current sodium lights.
My point is why can't the new LEDs be either orange tinted or the latest off white "warm lights" now used by Westminster & Cardiff Councils. The harsh white "blue sky" LEDs which they are currently proposing are now becoming redundant. The "warm lights" use even less energy than the blinding "UFO lights" as they are dubbed. People where UFO lights have been installed are needing blackout curtains to enable them to sleep.
These "blue sky" lights also have numerous health & wildlife issues if you care to do some actual research.
Craig Austin