Glasgow's Govanhill street lighting programme sees lamp placed inside a tree

After requests for better lighting in Govanhill, Glasgow City Council rolled out a welcome programme of new LED lighting.

But the community has been left perplexed at the location of some of the lights, in particular one lamppost that shoots straight up into the branches of a tree in a private garden.

A recently erected lamp post obscured by a tree on Dixon Avenue, Govanhill Picture: Colin Mearns

As the tree is an evergreen, the light would be hidden year-round.

When the council was made aware of the issue, the decision was made to move the Dixon Avenue light.

However, workmen then began drilling a hole immediately at the homeowner's gateposts, meaning the lamp would have overlapped the entry to the garden.

A recently erected lamp post obscured by a tree on Dixon Avenue, Govanhill Picture: Colin Mearns

A solution has finally been found and the lamppost is now in a spot on the pavement.

Local councillor Soryia Siddique said she has received multiple complaints about the locations of the new lamps and has been raising issues with officials.

A recently erected lamp post on Westmoreland Street, Govanhill Picture: Colin Mearns

The council said the new lights will improve safety in the area and help local CCTV cameras capture better footage.

Some, including along Westmoreland Street, sit flush against the walls of tenement blocks.

Householders told the Glasgow Times they are concerned that these may be used by thieves to gain access to flats.

A recently erected lamp post on Westmoreland Street, Govanhill Picture: Colin Mearns

Other locals said the positioning of some lights at the outer edge of the pavement and some on the inner edge is nonsensical

Local councillor Soryia Siddique said: "Constituents have contacted me regarding concerns related to new LED street lighting.

"Concerns are around lack of communication or consultation with residents, position of the lighting installation, impact on personal space, wildlife and greenery, which I have raised with neighbourhoods and sustainability.

A sign on Westmoreland Street, Govanhill, informing people about street light improvements Picture: Colin Mearns

"Health and safety is paramount and some due diligence is required on the lighting positions and consultation with residents in affected areas."

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said the lights meet national standards for new street lights, which help protect them from collisions by vehicles.

He said: “We are currently installing new LED street lights in Govanhill, which will help with night-time illumination in the area and enhance the use of CCTV.

“Lights are being positioned in line with national standards that indicate that a location at the heel, or inside of the pavement, is preferred over siting them at the toe, or kerbside of the pavement.

A newly installed lamp post on Dixon Avenue, Govanhill Picture: Colin Mearns

“National standards require that new lighting columns should always be set-back from the pavement’s edge to minimise the risk of collision from vehicles.

“But positioning of lights also takes account of factors such as underground utilities, windows and access to paths and driveways.

“We have reviewed the position of the lighting column on Dixon Avenue and it will be moved to a more appropriate location.”