New Swan Necked Lamp Post Broken

Published on: 27 Jul, 2018
Updated on: 30 Jul, 2018

A relaxed looking lamp post after its unfortunate encounter with a workmen’s van.

Photos Ben Darnton

A lamp post, installed only two or three weeks ago in the newly refurbished Tunsgate, had to be removed yesterday (July 26, 2018) when it suffered a collision with a workmen’s vehicle.

Men who had helped carry out the street works are believed to have accidentally reversed into the new lamp post at 8.30 am yesterday while turning.

Contractor’s removing the lamp post.

By 11 am the lamp post had been removed.

all that remains … a sad looking twisted stump.

Ben Darnton, owner of Ben’s records, said It had only been up for a few weeks. I had been asked about the design. The swan-necked post was intended only to be a temporary installation but I said to one of the council officers that I liked it and I believe they intended to leave it in situ.”

A Guildford Borough Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that a lamp post in Tunsgate was damaged yesterday morning. We have made the lamp post and the area safe for residents, visitors and shoppers and we are currently looking into how the incident occurred.”

When asked who will pay for the damage The Guildford Dragon NEWS was told that the council officer dealing with the case was not available but the council hopes to provide that information next week.

Responses to New Swan Necked Lamp Post Broken

Dave Middleton Reply

July 28, 2018 at 1:16 pm

Stupid idea to plonk it in the roadway anyway. Why not atttach the street lamps to buildings on either sides of the roads. There’s too much clutter on roads, pavements and pedestrianised areas. Shows a complete lack of thought for blind and partially sighted people.
Audrey Webb Reply

July 29, 2018 at 10:07 pm

I totally agree with Dave Middleton. The oddly positioned handful of bike racks also add to the unsightly street furniture. GBC could have easily installed more bike racks in the small area behind Ben’s Records, easily accessible and would have helped to keep bikes and pedestrians separated.

In addition this new street layout is so dull, the obvious design would have been for a line of suitable medium-sized trees along middle,(then vehicle access on one side for deliveries/ maintenance etc.) under these could be seating in the shade and then cafe’s and restaurants could benefit from the visually pleasing area. Instead, sitting outside there is no more enjoyable than eating in the layby on the A3. A serious waste of time and resources by GBC.