| SEAL flyer
|
 |
 |
|
|
Ealing's Street Icons Threatened!
Not the trees, but the Victorian and Edwardian Lampposts that adorn the streets of this district.
Council contracts with EDF Energy will result in these characteristic lampposts being replaced en masse by a modern steel lampposts some 2 metres taller - unless we stop this happening. Salisbury Road lampposts are amongst the first to be scheduled for replacement. The new lights should, in theory, provide better lighting but the increased height specifications result in poorer lighting in the summer months because the transmission of light to the road and the pavement is blocked by the pavement trees. Trees would have to be pruned annually to maintain the effectiveness of lighting. The cost of that would probably end up with removal of trees to maintain the expected level of safety lighting levels. The current Victorian cast-iron lampposts are shorter but have an out-dated lantern, The light though, is often more effective by not being affected by tree leaf growth. Underneath the faded and flaking paintwork, the 100 year old lampposts are in fine condition with just a few requiring attention. A range of much improved lanterns with better light output now exist that can be simply fitted to these columns bringing about a safer standard of lighting but retaining the style and ambience of our streets. A compromise on safety is not our wish. We believe a huge improvement in light quality can be achieved from a simple upgrade of the lantern. Northfields and South Ealing are the only districts in London to possess these lampposts with modern standard spacing due to a recycling project in 1987. A residents' group has been formed which wants Ealing's antique lamppost columns to be retained and restored and the lanterns upgraded. The group is called SEAL (Save Ealing Antique Lampposts). The group is made up of Ealing residents and members of Ealing Civic Society, West Ealing Neighbours, Kingsdown Residents Association and Lammas Residents Association. SEAL is currently: + Researching the precise terms of the Private Finance Initiative agreement the Council signed (behind closed doors) with EDF
+ Collating information on compliance with UK/EU street lighting safety guidelines
+ Validating cost comparisons between installing new ‘modern' lampposts, and replacing the lanterns and refurbishing the columns of our antique lampposts
+ Documenting the upgraded, refurbished lampposts like yours to be found around the UK in Green Park, Hampstead, Malvern, Portsmouth, Rye and Southsea
+ Running a publicity campaign on the scandalous way the Council is planning to trash our original, heritage lampposts.
If you don't want to lose your heritage lampposts it's very important that you tell this to a local Councillor as soon as possible.
Lampposts in Salisbury Road were scheduled for replacement by September 2006, but this has been postponed due to residents' complaining. We suspect it's only the weight of public opinion that will sway the Council to think again about saving our heritage lampposts.
You can contact a Councillor by post, by email, by phone or by attending a Councillor's surgery. Names and contact details of all 6 Salisbury Road Councillors are shown below:
To contact SEAL, call 7099 9036, or email westealingneighbours@gmail.com
The Leader of the Council:
Jason.Stacey@ealing.gov.uk Tel: 8825 7887
If you live:
East of Northcroft Road your Councillors are: (Walpole Ward)
Ann.chapman@ealing.gov.uk Tel; 8566 4175
John.cowing@ealing.gov.uk Tel: 8567 1435
Ashok.kapoor@ealing.gov.uk Tel: 8825 7887
Surgeries 2nd/4th Saturdays in month 11.00-12 noon
West Ealing Youth Centre, Churchfield Road W13
If you live:
West of Northcroft Road your Councillors are: (Northfield Ward)
David.millican@ealing.gov.uk Tel: 8810 1989
Mark.reen@ealing.gov.uk Tel: 8825 7887
Philip.taylor@ealing.gov.uk Tel: 8825 7887
Surgeries 2nd Saturdays in month, 10.30-12 noon
Northfields Community Centre, Northcroft Road W13 |
| Last Updated ( Thursday, 14 December 2006 ) |
