10th April 2012

A zebra crossing in Filton, Bristol has been reported to be the safest in Britain but has left people scratching their heads and asking why? It appears that the crossing complete with painted black and white road markings and poles with flashing amber globes is actually located at the end of a dead end road and just a few feet away from a brick wall. It is virtually impossible for any traffic to get anywhere near the crossing.

It measures just a few metres long and joins two small footpaths either side of the road which weave around the edge of the University of the West of England’s Frenchay campus.

There’s absolutely no point to it but at the same time it’s definitely the safest crossing anywhere in the world.

‘You hardly ever see any cars coming down the rest of the road let along right down to the end – it’s so quiet.’

UWE spokeswoman Jane Kelly added: ‘It does look a bit silly but there is a small car park round the corner and cars sometimes reverse backwards to get out.

‘Despite their being a brick wall at the end of the road the crossing is there just to be safe rather than sorry.’

2nd February 2012

A £2 MILLION project which will see the replacement of thousands of street lights with low-energy bulbs gets underway in February 2012.

The first phase of a project that will eventually see 6,200 of the city’s street lights changed over the next two years will be launched in Bretton by Peterborough City Council.

It will see lanterns in several areas of the city upgraded to LED lights, which will direct bright, white light down onto roads and footways, reducing the amount of light pollution caused by existing lights.

What’s more, it is expected that once they are all installed, it will save the council £211,000 a year in reduced energy costs.

2nd December 2011

Hampshire County Council’s street lighting replacement programme will be coming to Winchester at the beginning of January 2012, improving the city’s streetlights with the latest energy efficient equipment.

150,000 street lights, illuminated signs and bollards

Much of the county’s lighting stock is over 30 years old and in need of replacement. To this end, 150,000 street lights, illuminated signs and bollards across Hampshire are being replaced or upgraded. With the use of the latest technology in energy saving lamps and dimming controls, Hampshire’s new street lighting will also comply with Government targets for carbon reduction.

The new lighting in Winchester will see the replacement of approximately 5,000 street lights, the introduction of flexible lighting levels and the introduction of a white ‘natural’ lighting source which will result in:

• better lighting clarity;
• less light pollution due to the new lights pointing downwards;
• improved road safety;
• improved personal security;

and a reduction in carbon as well as 15% energy savings by 2020 – enough to power the equivalent of 1,500 homes.