ILLUMINATE SPAGHETTI JUNCTION?
I checked the date when I heard about the City Council's proposal to illuminate Spaghetti Junction, so that it can be seen from outer space - but it was not an April Fool, the news was reported on April 23rd
"... planning chiefs want to turn the entire 1970s structure into a glowing beacon of Birmingham's regeneration...
And while it might conceivably provide comfort for some homesick Brummie astronaut of the future, questions were being asked about exactly what the point was.
Clive Dutton, director of planning at Birmingham City Council, insisted it would bring huge benefits. 'We're going to illuminate Spaghetti Junction - you'll be able to see it from space! It is an extraordinary structure, one that is known around the country, but we feel as though it can have a massive impact around the world. We want to get Birmingham on the map and this scheme will be potentially lighting up the whole city.'"
When I worked for Birmingham City Council we strived to work as "one organisation". Our aim was to maximise the effectiveness of our work through mutual support throughout the organisation.
Things have changed: this proposal would produce about four times as much CO2 as Birmingham's Environmental Partnership saved across the city in all of its projects in 2008.
If this illumination is to be seen from outer space, the light pollution for Birmingham residents would be overwhelming. There are about a million people in Birmingham who would be prevented from seeing the stars by this massive lighting scheme. How many people are there on the moon wanting to see Spaghetti Junction?
The cost of this proposal has not been made public, but Councillor Summerfield suggests that the Lottery Fund might help. I question if this would be the right use of any funds, much less those of the Lottery directed at "good causes". What do you think?
Please send your comments on this proposal to
Councillor Summerfield - Neville.Summerfield@birmingham.gov.uk - and to
Clive Dutton - Clive.Dutton@birmingham.gov.uk
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Lighter Footprints - SusMo's ideas for community-led CO2 reduction
This is by far one of the stupidest, worst ideas I've ever heard. Who the hell dreams these things up? There are people starving in the world, and light pollution is so bad we can barely see the stars, and we want to chuck good money away on being able to be visible from space?? This is complete B.S.
Things like this make me so angry but feel so powerless. I feel so strongly about it, but there is nothing to be done about it! We've got these idiot morons in power, making decisions. Think of the millenium dome for god's sake! How many hospitals could have been built for the price of that abomination?!?
It's alright sending comments, but you know as well as me that this money is as good as wasted.
Dear Peed off
I can appreciate your feelings of anger and impotence, but you're wrong to say that nothing can be done about it. I'm sure many people thought that nothing could be done to abolish slavery or give women the vote. The fact is that we're lucky enough to live in a democratic society where our individual actions do have the power to influence change. Why not channel that frustration into more positive, constructive engagement as Esther is doing on her blog. By our words and deeds we can all be agents of change. Why not come to Northfield Ecocentre and add your name to our petition against the Spaghetti junction proposal? You're more than welcome to pay us a visit.
I agree that it isn't a smart idea, but one thought up by the Council to make the city look better and put us on the map. Again, it comes down to the environment not being at the forefront of people's concerns. People just need to be more aware, and congrats on making that happen.
As someone who was brought up near spaghetti junction, I am incredulous that the Council should even think about this scheme. Have they never heard about climate change, do they think it's going to make it lovely in the UK, or do they just not care? This is like having a space heater outside a pub, pouriung CO2 straight up into the atmosphere, writ large. It is hard to think of a dafter project to bring B'ham to the word's attentention. In 10 year's time, if this does go ahead, you will be the prime example of short term, unthinking, stupidity.