Improving street lighting to reduce energy use

This will reduce energy use and carbon emissions, and lower maintenance costs.

Work is due to begin imminently, and lamp columns need to remain free from attachments so work can be carried out as quickly and safely as possible.

Lampposts and other street furniture need to be protected which is why highways staff across the city removed around 200 advertising banners and flags that had been attached to lampposts since the start of this year.

They take down attachments from lampposts routinely, including advertising signs, bunting trails and flags.

People who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk.

We continuing to do this every week and would ask that staff doing this work are allowed to continue this work unhindered.

Placing unauthorised attachments on street furniture, particularly tall structures like lampposts, can be dangerous (see below) – that is why the council always has to ‘stress test’ assets around any formal events or celebrations.

The Risks

Falling debris:

If a lamppost or its attachments fail, debris can fall on people or vehicles below, causing injuries or accidents.

Electrical hazards:

In some cases, lampposts may have electrical components, and attaching items could potentially interfere with these, creating electrical hazards.

Obscured visibility:

Flags attached to lampposts can obstruct visibility for drivers or pedestrians, increasing the risk of accidents. 

Weakening of the lamppost:

Lampposts are engineered for their specific purpose, and adding extra weight or stress from flags and attachments can cause them to weaken over time, potentially leading to collapse.