New lights brighten up Birmingham’s towpaths
The Canal and River Trust charity is working in partnership with Birmingham City Council to replace 250 worn out and broken lights located along canal towpaths in the city centre.
Costing £250,000, the project is part of Birmingham Cycle Revolution and involves installing new energy efficient LED lights along the main commuter routes into and around Birmingham.
With Birmingham’s waterways now more popular with visitors than ever before these new brighter white lights will help improve visibility along the waterways and should work for 100,000 hours before they need to be replaced.
The new lights will be installed on:
- Birmingham & Fazeley Canal from Old Turn Junction to Old Snow Hill Bridge
- Birmingham Mainline Canal from St Vincent Street to Gas Street Basin – both towpaths
- Worcester & Birmingham Canal from Gas Street Basin to Granville Street
- Digbeth Canal through Ashted Locks
- Edgbaston Tunnel
- Ashted Tunnel
- Curzon Street Tunnel
John Harris, from the Canal & River Trust, said: “These lights were originally installed in the early 1980s and most of them now don’t work very well or are broken. The new, low maintenance lights should last eight years before the bulbs need to be replaced and, as they are energy efficient, should be better for the environment, as well as brightening up the waterways.
“These lights are going to make a real difference for people visiting Birmingham’s wonderful canals.”
Councillor Stewart Stacey, cabinet member for transport and roads at Birmingham City Council, said:
“I want everyone to enjoy Birmingham’s fantastic canal network, whether they are walking or cycling, and replacing these old and broken lights will help ensure that our towpaths are as attractive as possible for those who use them, particularly at night, as well as during the winter months when the days are shorter.
“I am pleased that this work is now taking place and look forward to seeing the finished results.”
Once completed the lights will be maintained by the Canal & River Trust.
Visit the Canal & River Trust website to find out more about their work.
For more about Birmingham Cycle Revolution and download our canal maps.
