AYKLEY HEADS FOOTPATH
Client
Durham County Council
Project location
Durham, United Kingdom
Project date
2024
ILLUMINATING NATURE
Thorn Lighting's Dark Sky-approved Urba lanterns were selected to enhance the safety and usability of the Aykley Heads footpath, a popular nature trail near the Durham Police Headquarters.
Active Travel is a growing trend in the UK. It is about connecting people with their communities. Not only does it bring environmental benefits by reducing carbon emissions, but it also supports people's health and well-being by promoting movement and exercise.
Lighting Leads the Way in Active Travel
One of the biggest inhibitors to Active Travel at night is the feeling of safety. The Aykley Heads footpath, a nature trail through a wooded area, required a safe level of lighting during hours of darkness to encourage use. The area, rich in nocturnal wildlife, needed lighting to ensure safety without disrupting the local ecosystem. NightTune from Thorn is the latest technology in lighting that meets the needs of the delicate night ecosystem and the safety of people.
"As a council, one of our priorities is providing safe and accessible Active Travel Routes to encourage people to choose healthier and more environmentally friendly modes of transport. We’re also committed to tackling climate change and protecting the county’s ecology and biodiversity. NightTune has supported both of these ambitions by allowing us to create well-lit areas for walking and cycling in a way that saves energy and respects the nocturnal ecosystem.”
— Cllr John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for highways, community safety, and rural communities
Overcoming Challenges
The Aykley Heads footpath project faced several challenges due to its status as a prized area of natural beauty. The lighting needed to be both attractive during the day and efficient at night while being sensitive to the local wildlife. Thorn's Urba lanterns were chosen as they were able to meet all the specific and stringent lighting requirements for this project. The luminaires were supplied in RAL 6005 Light Moss Green to match the existing painted columns and blend seamlessly with the surrounding trees and shrubs. The NR (Narrow Road) optics with internal louvres ensured the lighting was focused on the footpaths with minimal overspill.
Main Benefits of the New Lighting Solution
This lighting solution provides super-efficient illumination with features sympathetic to nocturnal wildlife. The control of light provided by the NR lens and internal louvre, combined with zero-degree tilt, ensures that the scheme meets the criteria of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and follows the guidance provided by the Institute of Lighting Professionals (ILP).
Positive Feedback and Future Impact
Feedback from the public has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents appreciate the improved safety and usability of the footpath, particularly the sensitive approach to lighting that respects the natural environment.