British LED lighting manufacturer Acrospire has completed a handrail lighting upgrade at Jacob’s Ladder in Falmouth, working with Cornwall Council and contractor Enerveo to replace an ageing system.
The Grade II-listed site, located on Falmouth Moor, consists of 111 granite steps and remains a well-used pedestrian route linking the Moor with surrounding areas.
Originally commissioned in the early 19th century by local businessman Jacob Hamblen, it continues to form part of the town’s historic landscape.
Lighting is a key requirement for the stairway, particularly in poor weather and low-light conditions. The previous system had reached the end of its serviceable life and replacement parts were no longer available.
Mark Vincent, County Lighting Engineer at Cornwall Council, explains, “The problem we had was that the old handrail lighting system was beginning to fail and spares were no longer available.
“The steps are old, worn, and well-used; they can also be very slippery when wet, so it was a priority for Cornwall Council to make sure they were properly lit.”
Cornwall Council assessed retrofitting a new LED system into the existing structure, but a full replacement was selected following consideration of durability, installation, and overall cost.
New system designed for coastal conditions
Acrospire supplied a replacement illuminated handrail designed for staircases and bridges, with a focus on durability in exposed environments.
The system incorporates 4000K 1W LED modules to provide consistent lighting while remaining appropriate for the historic setting.
During the project, a section of the original handrail was found to be missing. Acrospire carried out additional site measurements to ensure the replacement system could be accurately manufactured and installed without delay.
Mark continues, “We considered a retrofit option into the existing handrail, but given the minimal cost difference between that and full replacement, it was an easy decision.”
The new handrail was delivered directly to site, with installation support provided to Enerveo operatives.
“We now have a brand-new, built-to-last illuminated handrail solution backed by an Acrospire warranty and the can-do attitude of its owners and employees,” Mark concludes.
“The result is a safer, more reliable system that supports the accessibility of this much-loved historic route.”
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