The Virtual Museum has already revealed how B&NES is consulting local residents associations and heritage groups to draw up guidelines ‘on what any replacement street lights should look like and the levels of light produced by them in the City of Bath Conservation area.’
We were told B&NES ‘ already installs heritage lamps and lanterns in some streets in order to uphold the qualities of the World Heritage site’ but that apparently there is ‘no guidance available to communities about what type of lighting they can expect in their street.’
Fine so far but can someone explain to me why a strongly contemporary lamp-post has been erected outside the north side of the Abbey? Clearly this is within the conservation area and World heritage site but not too sure it ‘upholds the qualities’ of the historic area it will help illuminate.
Why isn’t the light the same as the more traditional lantern outside the Guildhall just across the road? This morning l asked one of the workmen involved in the new pedestrianisation scheme what he thought was happening. Turns out – in his opinion – the new lamp is only a temporary measure. Maybe this scheme too awaits the outcome of producing the new guidelines.
I took the opportunity of asking what was happening to the old paving – currently separated form the new by tarmac slopes.
Again – a mind of information! They want to get the new paving in place for people to walk on before seeing to the old. Sounds to me like a ‘proper job’ could be in prospect!
