Street Lighting in the News

Although it doesn't feature a lot, street lighting does occasionally get a mention in the newspapers, on television or on the radio This page contains street lighting related articles and sound clips that I have either seen or heard in the UK media. Unless otherwise stated, all newspaper articles are from the Derby Evening Telegraph.

Click on the thumbnail of the article (where applicable) to bring up the full-sized version.

Daily Mirror, 10th December 2007

Thanks to Jon Southern for sending this article.

25th May 2007

Although the article is not strictly related to lighting, I have included it here as obviously Stanton made concrete columns in the past. (Stanton are not related to Stainton, who are still very much in business.)

10th April 2007

20th March 2007

Various National Newspapers, 18th February 2007

This report has been featured across various media organisations since the story was first published. Type the headline into a search engine and you will see what I mean!

19th December 2006

Another report published a few days later revealed that the Council had actually been using the so-called 'greener power' for a couple of years but hadn't realised!

1st December 2006

The PFI saga rumbles on!

31st May 2006

20th February 2006

Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News, 19th January 2006

Thanks to Jon Southern for sending this article.

Sunderland Echo, 19th August 2005

Thanks to Peter Barclay for sending this article.

Derby Trader, 24th June 2005

17th June 2005

Nottingham Evening Post, 1st June 2005

Thanks to Claire for sending this somewhat disturbing article!

12th May 2005

5th January 2005

Wolverhampton edition of the Express and Star, 11th December 2004

Thanks to Claire for sending this article.

4th December 2004

The 'cheaper to run' statement is news to me - seeing as SOX is the most  efficient light source that you can get, and that is what is used in many places at the moment! I wonder what this futuristic, better-than-SOX light could possibly be..!

Derby Trader, 2nd December 2004

29th October 2004

26th October 2004

Pictures of the replacement work can be seen here.

9th September 2004

25th August 2004

19th August 2004

The above article is the 'Derby' version of the story about a column being replaced after 25 years.

Nottingham Evening Post, 18th August 2004

Thanks to Claire for sending me this article.

9th August 2004

This picture shows how the base of the column has twisted from the impact:

17th June 2004

25th February 2004

This Stanton column has fallen victim to Ashbourne's 'Royal Shrovetide Football' event. It isn't uncommon for there to be a sea of devastation after the games have finished but column damage is fairly rare. A sturdier Stanton would have withstood people bashing it and climbing it, but obviously this one hasn't been so lucky!

19th February 2004

23rd January 2004

I noticed several inaccuracies in this article - it just makes me wonder if what you read in newspapers can actually be believed at all!

This story was also reported on BBC Radio Derby. Click here to listen to the report. (WAV File)

19th August 2003

23rd June 2003

24th April 2003

The scan has missed off the last three or four lines of this article, so I have written them here: "We'll have a look at the bollard light's repair history. If it's getting continually vandalised or damaged then maybe we'd want to think about something that is more durable."

5th April 2003

11th February 2003

This article had the thoughts of different heads of departments who worked for Derby City Council - explaining where they thought that money should be invested until 2008 - the following excerpt is about investing the money in street lighting: "Derby's head of highways and transport waste management, Pat Ethelston, explains why he believes the city council should be investing in the environment and better street lighting. "Fitting new kerbs and lighting would make areas more pleasant for residents. Derby has more than 25,000 street lights, but many of these are old and, in many areas, lighting levels are below current standards. Lighting units are designed to last for 25 - 30 years. Many in Derby have reached that age and need replacing. Current funding only enables routine maintenance and little replacement. More funding would allow planned replacement of old, worn out systems."

18th January 2003