Readers may not be aware that more than 60 new illuminated advertising panels will be installed on pavements and in bus shelters in the city. This will waste significant amounts of energy and add to the congestion of street furniture if Leicester City Council approves the proposals.
From a Green perspective, two-thirds of the panels are not necessary, except those lighting up bus shelters, which would encourage more people to use buses on dark evenings.
However, we need a more radical approach to energy-saving and cutting-edge energy conservation. The council should investigate the feasibility of using solar-powered lighting for bus shelters. North Lanarkshire Council has just installed its first eco-energy bus shelter.
It is worth noting that each of the proposed panels (nearly 5ft wide and 9ft high) consume 180 watts of energy per hour. Over a year, 60 panels would use enough energy to supply nearly 10 family homes.
Of equal concern is protecting the city from unnecessary clutter and protecting public space. Many of the panels, which go on the pavements, are not necessary, shelters aside. While the panels display advertisements, they would also show council information, which can be displayed elsewhere.
In the city centre, there is a huge amount of advertising. Does the city council have a limit on how much more street furniture will be added to the existing pavement clutter?
How much more difficult will it become for pedestrians, wheelchair-users and mothers with pushchairs to negotiate some of our streets?
Bob Ball, spokesperson, Leicester Green Party.
Pavement Clutter