British LED lighting manufacturer Acrospire has completed an LED lighting upgrade across 12 pedestrian subways in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, improving visibility and supporting safer public spaces.
Delivered in partnership with Greenwich Council and contractor FM Conway, the project replaced ageing lighting installations that had resulted in inconsistent illumination and reduced visibility. The scheme was supported by funding from the Mayor’s Energy Efficiency Fund (MEEF).
Acrospire carried out lighting surveys and designed bespoke schemes for each location using its VandaWay lighting system.
Instead of traditional ceiling-mounted luminaires, the fittings were installed along the upper edges of subway walls and, where appropriate, on railings. The company says this provides more consistent illumination across both walls and walkways, improving visibility while reducing shadowed areas.
The lighting designs also accounted for changes between daylight and night-time conditions, with illumination levels tailored to support visibility when entering and leaving each subway.
Lighting design tailored to each location
According to Acrospire, Bryan Close Subway achieved daytime illuminance levels of more than 300 lux, while night-time lighting was reduced to minimise glare without affecting visibility.
At Waterlily Walk, where the subway runs alongside a waterway, the lighting was designed to minimise light spill into the surrounding environment.
Ranjit Reehal, Area Sales Manager at Acrospire, comments, “Subways present a unique challenge. It’s not just about lighting the space; it’s about how people feel moving through it.
“By improving visibility and removing dark spots, you create an environment where people can see clearly ahead of them, and that has a real impact on confidence and safety.”
The installation uses vandal-resistant luminaires designed for public environments, with the aim of reducing maintenance requirements and improving long-term reliability.
Alongside improving visibility, the move to LED lighting is expected to reduce energy consumption and support the council’s wider carbon reduction objectives.
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