Save Ealing's Antique Lampposts (SEAL)

Ealing's cast-iron Victorian and Edwardian lampposts are under threat of being removed. The Council stopped maintaining them in 1990; outsourced all street lighting in 1994; and in 2005 signed a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract with EDF Energy for the latter to manage all Ealing’s street lighting and illuminated signs for 25 years.

The PFI specifies that all the 1,100+ cast-iron lampposts (to be found mostly in West and South Ealing) are to be removed by 2010. No residents were consulted about this in the run up to the signing of this PFI.

SEAL, founded in November 2006, is a group of local residents’ and special interest groups who are working together to stop the removal of the cast-iron lampposts.

SEAL is in discussion with Ealing Council about changing the terms of the PFI in order to re-use the cast-iron lampposts; upgrade their lanterns and to reduce the PFI specified lighting level, which will not only meet international standards but will reduce energy usage and CO2 emissions. SEAL wants the cast-iron lampposts to be properly maintained and restored to their splendid Victorian/Edwardian livery. SEAL were granted a temporary moratorium on the removal of the cast-iron lampposts by the Leader of the Council in February 2007.

SEAL has asked Ealing FoE if they will support the campaign. We will discuss this at the June meeting.

To find out more about Ealing's street lighting heritage and the campaign view the SEAL page at www.westealingneighbours.org.uk