Britain To Axe Up To 1.5 Million Lampposts (thetimes.com)
- Reference: 0175339295
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/10/28/1947245/britain-to-axe-up-to-15-million-lampposts
- Source link: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/environment/article/britain-to-axe-up-to-15m-lampposts-see-how-it-would-look-rjt86b9dh
> Around 1.5 million of Britain's 7.2 million lampposts could be removed to save money and reduce carbon emissions and replaced with lighting that will make it safer for pedestrians.
>
> Under existing rules, there is no requirement to light pavements for pedestrians. They are only lit because light spills over from lampposts, which were principally installed to make it safer for motorists. But today's cars have such effective headlights that lampposts, which are generally 10m tall on A-roads and 6m tall on residential roads, are not necessary in many parts of Britain. Lampposts will remain in place in many locations where they are necessary, such as in cities where CCTV cameras rely on good lighting.
[1] https://www.thetimes.com/uk/environment/article/britain-to-axe-up-to-15m-lampposts-see-how-it-would-look-rjt86b9dh
Careful With That Axe, Eugene (Score:3)
Axes won't work:
a) Electrocution risk for the chopper
b) Passers-by may get Brained By Falling Masonry
Very bad idea.
Re: (Score:2)
Yes, we used to have concrete lampposts on the street I grew up on. What I want to know is how to get electrocuted though since most axes have wooden handles and those with metal handles almost always have a rubber or other insulating grip because metal can be very slippy so for any axe where you have a risk of electrocution you also have a high risk of taking out a bystander...even when not felling lampposts.
And suffering will ensue (Score:2)
What could possibly go wrong? Crime likes a dark area, being the obvious outcome.
Re: (Score:2)
Uniformity is more important than brightness. As long as they approach it logically it can improve things from a safety perspective. I would assume high pedestrian areas would be less likely to have role lights eliminated.
In the 90's there was a big push to light up many places in the name of safety. In many places it was grossly excessive. Hopefully they are setting good standards for where and when supplemental lighting is recommended.
Re: (Score:2)
> What could possibly go wrong? Crime likes a dark area, being the obvious outcome.
Even if the assumed premise were true this would not affect it as they are removing lamposts that illuminate the roadway. Generally the crime you are imagining being prevented would be on the side walks.
But the premise, is just one of those "obvious" bits of "common sense" that is actually [1]not well supported by evidence [darksky.org]. In particular bad lighting,(which is very, very common - and the lamp posts in question are a good example of bad lighting - reduces you ability to observe your surroundings by obscuring it
[1] https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/safety/
Re: (Score:2)
Oh I hope so. If criminals decide to stand in the middle of the roadway where these lampposts are being removed we'll have less criminals!
Aha (Score:2)
> Lampposts will remain in place in many locations where they are necessary, such as in cities where CCTV cameras rely on good lighting.
Looks like someone's got their priorities straight. Fuck dark streets and let's go back to the dark ages. I can understand possible on roads. Where I live, most roads don't have lights, except at intersections, but for residential? Don't pedestrians also walk the sidewalks?
Re: (Score:2)
> Don't pedestrians also walk the sidewalks?
Haven't these pedestrians heard of flashlights/torches?
Re: (Score:2)
I'm a big fan of flashlights and own probably over 50 of about 40 different models, including head-mounted ones. While I do have a tiny one in my pocket and also one on my phone, I really don't expect that I should have to walk around with them when walking around in residential neighborhoods. You can't expect people to walk to their grocery store and then have to juggle their grocery bags as well as a flashlight in order to make it back home.
Mo more leaning on a lamp post (Score:2)
Herman's Hermits "Leaning on a Lamp Post"
Originally written by George Formby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FzGy2RJs6Q
Narnia will finally get some more lighting (Score:2)
For all these years, they've had only ONE lamp post.
Mostly agree... (Score:2)
Light posts are still a good idea, but I suggest that they are turned off most of the time. They can remain off unless pedestrians are detected nearby and it is determined they should turn on. The big difference here is lights should be for pedestrians and not for drivers.
I find nighttime driving with street lights to be far more difficult then without. Especially if there is a light layer of water on the road - the resulting glare from street lights makes everything more difficult to see. Most notab
Re: Just another week in America (Score:3)
UBI to curb stealing lamp posts? Imagine if they put that energy into an actual job. No, we got a taste of UBIs effects with covid. Lots of inflation.
Re: (Score:3)
Bullshit. The so-called inflation was primarily caused by supply chain disruption, volatile energy prices, and price gouging. Stimulus spending was an insignificant factor.
Re: (Score:2)
UBI did not cause inflation. That was billionaires and corporate greed, as per the usual.
Re: (Score:2)
WTF has America got to do with a story about Britain? Do you have make everything about yourself?