£2 million to be spent on improving street lighting in the borough

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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on February 4, 2009 at 21:25

Call me a cynic but... is this not just so that they can hang more advertising on the lamposts?

How does this hang with the green borough strategy? It doesn't mention whether or not they're "green" lights, just that they're "white".

Also... funny how it's nearly a year since this post. Ha ha ha.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on February 7, 2009 at 8:39

John's question is pertinent and important.

I know part of the answer. New street lighting installed by Haringey over the last few years is less light-polluting and more efficient. It generates bright white light with column designs and "lanterns" which direct light downward where needed. (Though there are still many old-fashioned and light-polluting "lanterns" - like these.)

In my own ward, Tottenham Hale, there have been some sensitive and speedy responses to particular worries – for example, from members of the local group Lee Valley Bats. (Contact them to join; or if you fancy a night-time walk to view bats.)

I find the Council's lighting team among the most helpful and knowledgeable staff in the mostly lacklustre Urban Environment Department. (Which may or may not be connected with a proposal last year to privatise that team.)

Can I mention another aspect of street lighting which seems to be ignored? The billboard companies have moved from: paper posters; to gantries with lights which shine on their hoardings; to giant light-boxes with intense internal illumination which shines outward. None of this 'progress' appears to be effectively controllable by local councils. (Is this because national political parties rely too much on billboards come election time? )

People have different views about banners on lampposts and I understand the criticism that they add to street “clutter”. Though what if they were temporary "galleries" for the work of local artists? Or only used to promote local businesses and cultural events which can’t afford huge billboards?

But while we debate these banners, we seem oblivious to the larger, more damaging, and longer term danger. Or is it inevitable that the advertising ‘industry’ will turn whole streets into illuminated and animated walls of giant Blade Runner-style ad-boxes?

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Permalink Reply by John D on February 7, 2009 at 8:59

With respect , Alan, I have never seen or heard any opinion expressed in favour of street banners.
Are you suggesting that Sainsbury's can't afford huge billboards ? :-)

I suggested to Sainsbury's Arena manager that instead of the lampost banners it would be more useful to put up a sign at the entrance to the Arena saying "car park full - 1 hour to get out" at weekends but he didn't seem to think that was a terribly good idea :-)

Surely advertising hoardings require planning consent and the Council could control their use ?

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on February 7, 2009 at 10:11

Yes, advertising hoardings do require consent. But it takes months with a complex and expensive process to get illegal hoardings removed. Advertisers know this and prolong things as long as possible, knowing they can make lucrative profits even if the hoarding eventually comes down. Sometimes it doesn't because people don't tell the truth about how long it's been there.

The first and most important question is whether we want ads in public spaces. If so, what are the permitted sizes and variations? How long does the permission last? Do we want these giant hoardings and/or small lamppost banners? If we don't, then we need better legislation to control the whole range of ads that get erected. And of course, I agree the controls need to extend to everyone, including local councils.

Though advertisers pay for their sites, the billboard owners are basically 'freeloaders' on a 'common' asset - the public street. Nobody would rent their billboard unless you and I and other people go past and see it.

Opinions in favour of street banners? How about this, John?

Or a street with a wall of photos like these?

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