Guiding lights

Here is a close up of one of the many lights which were installed along the canal towpath last year. This one is red because it's near an entry/exit point. There are also green lights (in the middle of the entry points), but most of the ground lights are white and run on both sides of the towpath.

I remember last winter cycling along the canal in the dark after work and having to go quite slowly, partly because I couldn't see easily where I was going (and didn't want to cycle into the canal!) and partly because most people walking don't wear lights. This year has been much easier. The route is clearer and because the lights are evenly spaced, a blanked out light ahead indicates someone or thing is on the towpath, so I can slow down to avoid them.

The bars in the centre of the light are solar panels, so the lights come on automatically as it gets dark. Great improvement! It would be even better if the lights continued a bit beyond the Allen Park Footbridge, but we can't have everything ;o)