Thorn Lighting's Dark Sky-approved Urba lanterns have been 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.

A Sensitive Lighting Solution

Durham County Council installed 31 of Thorn Lighting's Urba NightTune lanterns
along the Aykley Heads footpath. These lanterns, approved by the International
Dark-Sky Association, offer unique features like colour temperature adjustment,
dimming regimes, and precise light control. These features not only minimise
environmental impact but also benefit nocturnal ecology with their 2200K warm
white light during most of the night.

Cllr John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for highways,
community safety, and rural communities, said: "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.”

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. In recognition of its success, the
project was recently honoured as the Highways Electrical Association’s Project of
the Year.