Forum Topic

Lighting under Putney Bridge

Sorry if this is old news. I'm sure you are all much more focused on the election and getting Brexit done.. but does anyone actually think the lighting of Bazalgette's bridge enhances it at all ? It has always been one of my favourite for it's simplicity and elegance - particularly the lights which are now overshadowed but the vulgar blaze below. What on earth possessed people - and particularly across a river that is designated a SMINC !

Lynne McNulty ● 2542d31 Comments

HiI am lost here, you are probably presuming that everyone knows what SMINC is? and what vulgar blaze below?

Emarisa Battoia ● 2542d

I quite like it....

Matt Palmer ● 2542d

Looks great. Can't see them in daylight and unless you are lucky enough to live in a very expensive house or flat, you'll rarely see them at night. No pleasing some people.SMINC? I know Sue Hammond would have known this (she's educated herself unlike me) but SMINC stands for 'Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation'. I don't think the bridge lights have an impact on this. No more than all the buildings illuminated in central London. or any of the newly lit bridges in between.

Freddie Francis ● 2542d

Excellent lights, really enjoy them, not sure why anyone would think otherwise.Mainly thanks to our wonderful local councillors.Nick

Nick Gulliford ● 2542d

Hi Nick any news on the plot for redevelopment on corner of Putney high st/Putney Br rd please?I think it's 45-53 PHS and 328-339 PBRThanks in advance.

Paul Game ● 2541d

I think they look quite good, my only concern is if the water reflects light back into the sky adding to the already appalling light pollution in London.https://flic.kr/s/aHsmGzD84t

Michael Ixer ● 2541d

"my only concern is if the water reflects light back into the sky adding to the already appalling light pollution in London."The idea was considered in the UK in World War Two that coastal waters might be camouflaged with coal dust in order to help hide ports and commercial areas. It was not proceeded with.https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/worldwar2/theatres-of-war/western-europe/investigation/deception/sources/docs/2/

David Ainsworth ● 2541d

"my only concern is if the water reflects light back into the sky adding to the already appalling light pollution in London."I would think that most of the light would be cancelled out by the bridge above. A little may scatter due to ripples but most would be reflected directly back up to the underside of the arches and thereby prevented in reaching the sky.

Freddie Francis ● 2541d

I think the lights look great!

John Geoffries ● 2541d

Thank you for your contributions.  I'm surprised that people seem to like the effect. I'm also surprised that people seem to be unaware of the damaging effect of lighting, particularly over water. Several ecologists are concerned about this but alas the responses on here suggest that Putney residents are not worried about the species that will be affected.

Lynne McNulty ● 2541d

Which species exactly? Might be nice if you could refrain from accusing us of not caring about whatever the issue is? Several ecologists does not sound hugely significant to my ear.

Freddie Francis ● 2541d

Have to say I do find the new LED lights very glarey in general, I often get blinded for a bit by oncoming cars with leds......

Emarisa Battoia ● 2541d

Not sure I get the comparison. The bridge lights are yellowish. Car lights are very bright and white and a completely different matter all together.

Freddie Francis ● 2541d

Hi FreddieI think the original post was re the effect on wildlife in the Thames that the new lights haveI made a comment regarding how bright and glarey LED lights are in general, I used cars as an exampleYes, car lights are white and the ones on the bridge are yellow; both are LEDScientists are now making us aware of the impact LED lights are having on wildlife, though they are yet to conclude on whether it’s just the white/blue white type, or if the yellow type is also includedI hope that answers your query. Toodle pip!

Emarisa Battoia ● 2540d

I would agree that harsh blue LEDs are harmful to the environment - https://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/cfds_issues.php?topic=bluerich - but my understanding is that the lights on Putney Bridge are not of that type, but prepared to be corrected. 

Michael Ixer ● 2540d

Morning Michael, you are right that the lights aren’t the white type, they are yellowBut my understanding in that they are LED just a different colour, there was a drive a few years ago for all street lighting to be LED s as they are more efficient

Emarisa Battoia ● 2540d

Apologies if I misunderstood and local people do actually care about biodiversity and are aware that rivers are designated as wildlife corridors.  'Several' ecologists would include those who worked on the Richmond guidance 'Rivers and Light Pollution.' LED lights were chosen to minimise the cost of running this light show - there has been much written about the effect of lighting on invertebrates and bats in particular. All lighting has an impact. All councils  have a duty to provide no net loss of biodiversity. Does anyone know if there was an ecological impact assessment ?

Lynne McNulty ● 2540d

Hi LynneI think people do care, you only have to see how people opposed TFLs application to have LED screens on the A3 by Wimbledon CommonI have to confess, even though i was aware of this it had not occurred to me about Putney Bridge; mainly because i am never really walking along the edges when its dark so never see how bright the lights are on the other side (if that makes sense)AS always, you change to one thing to do better (LED lights are not only cheaper but they save energy are seen as 'Green') but there is always a down side...... maybe someone could suggest they could be dimmed maybe after 1am or something?

Emarisa Battoia ● 2540d

Thanks for that suggestion Emarisa - a lady from the Bat Conservation Trust ( who is well versed on the issues around artificial lighting ) was quite distressed about it - and when I saw it - from the beautiful darkness that is Wandsworth park , I was absolutely appalled. It does nothing to enhance the simplicity and elegance of the bridge. Heaven knows what people were thinking of but vanity uplighting has gone too far surely?

Lynne McNulty ● 2540d

Lynne if there is no lighting at all how are the RNLI meant to see jumpers or people drowning.

Barbara Stevens ● 2540d

Interesting Barbara - so all London's bridges are to be similarly lit - is this following RNLI recommendations ?

Lynne McNulty ● 2539d

I doubt they'll be putting lights on Fulham bridge? Going back to bats, I've seen them in Wandsworth Park and over by the Wetlands, Beverley Brook and riverside path from the boathouses in Putney to Hammersmith Bridge but I would have thought they would avoid Putney Bridge, Putney Wharf, etc because it's built up and there aren't many insects to feast on? Unless they roost under the bridge but I'd have though Wandsworth Council would be obliged to check that as bats are protected species?

Michael Ixer ● 2539d

You are right there is much spillage from riverside development but this new additional lighting effectively creates a barrier across what has been designated a wildlife corridor for foraging and commuting. Some species are much more sensitive to light than the most commonly seen pipistrelIes. I don't know and no-one on here seems to know if there was an ecological impact assessment but the Thames is a SMINC  and an important corridor for wildlife. I have contacted the RNLI for comment.

Lynne McNulty ● 2539d

Please get a life, Lynne

Vic Condon ● 2539d

I doubt very much, being a rescue organisation, if the RNLI have anything whatsoever to do with the lights. If you need some sort of blame for the lights I'd suggest either Hammersmith and Fulham or Wandsworth Councils. You might like to see what happens with all the other bridges from here to the QE Bridge while you're at it as they are almost equally illuminated. Having said that, the lights on the walls of Putney bridge are very dim. Good luck.

Freddie Francis ● 2539d

Both sides from Putney Bridge you have a lot of flats going towards Wandsworth Bridge which all have lights anyway. So I'm sure a bat will go where a bat has to go.

Barbara Stevens ● 2539d

That is a bit unnecessary Vic!

Caroline Whitehead ● 2539d

Where are all the folk who were demanding that WBC re light the bridge a couple of years back?

Andy Pike ● 2539d

I was one of them Andy. I like the lights.

Caroline Whitehead ● 2539d

Me too think they enhance the bridge

Andy Pike ● 2539d

As do I. A marked improvement.

Leslie McDonnell ● 2538d