Westminster Gas Lamps
Gas-powered streetlights are a charming and evocative part of our heritage. In Westminster, the number and variety of these form a remarkable collection, as well as them being significant as individual structures. Many are recognised on the National Heritage List.
Westminster City Council held a public consultation last year on proposals to replace gas lighting with LED bulbs. This would have involved the comprehensive removal of existing historic lanterns – the glazed box containing the light – and replacement with modern replicas attached to the existing lamppost or wall bracket. We believe this approach would cause unnecessary harm and raised serious concerns.
Historic England strongly supports urgent climate action and is committed to achieving net zero. While we voiced serious concerns about how the City Council proposed to modify its gas-powered streetlights, we are broadly supportive of the importance of reducing carbon emissions.
Technology to replicate the quality of gas lighting with LEDs has improved in recent years. If the latest generation LEDs are integrated into existing historic lanterns, with historic mechanisms retained, the impact and heritage harm caused by the consultation proposals could be much reduced.
Since the consultation we have received a number of listing applications for unlisted gaslights in Westminster, which we are currently considering.
