Let There be Light!!!

Day 50 - 10:06am, 19 February 2019

As I walk down the road today, there are workmen upgrading the street lights in the Crescent to fit the new LED bulbs. As I get closer, I see that they have already been to the Drive to the left. It seems that they are re-purposing the existing columns. so only the lantern and hoods of the old street lamps are being removed and they are being replaced with what looks like an LED flat cap, or bunnet, as we say in Scotland. Apparently, according to the council website, all it takes is 15 minutes per light to bring us into the energy-efficiency age.

As I see this, I wish I had paid more attention to the streetlights last night so that I will be able to compare the lights tonight, assuming they maintain that tempo and move into the Road by evening. Coming back from the Water of Leith, I am trying to determine whether or not the lamps have already been changed on the main road, but it's not that easy to tell in the daylight. The LED caps appear thinner but not dramatically enough so as to draw attention to them.

The council website explains that the new light will be whiter and clearer and that they have chosen a neutral white light, to be like moonlight. Streets will feel safer, the street lamps will be less damaging to the environment and the new lanterns are cheaper to run and maintain. All well and good, but it wouldn't be Scotland,  however, if we couldn't shoehorn in a dig about the Scottish weather - so listed under benefits, we are advised that the new lamps "are ideal for Scotland's climate as LEDs work better in cooler temperatures." A real appeal to the Scot's heart!