Local Urbis Albany Lanterns

Although the Albany is regarded as one of the more common types of 'heritage' lantern on the UK street scene, it is relatively uncommon in Derbyshire, with two notable areas for its use being Vernon Street in Derby, and Crown Square in Matlock.

Vernon Street is a very wide, imposing road in Derby City Centre. In the 1990s, the street was given something of a rebirth, owing to the redevelopment of the former prison (and, more latterly, greyhound stadium) site at its far end. The street lighting was replaced with Urbis 'Blenheim' columns supporting Albanys on 'Plain' brackets at some point after April 1997, when Derby became a Unitary Authority.

Prior to the installation of the heritage lighting, standard 6 m columns supporting 55 Watt SOX lanterns existed along the road. The 55 Watt lanterns were replacements for 125 Watt MBF lanterns.

The lanterns run 150 Watt SON-T lamps and are switched with miniature photocells - the detector for this example being visible on the left-hand side of the lantern's canopy.

Although the installations were always painted black, this top coat is now beginning to wear off, revealing a light blue undercoat beneath.

The contemporary Urbis logo is stamped on the column doors.

More Albanys, again on Blenheim columns (albeit, shorter examples) can also be seen on South Street, which has a junction with Vernon Street. These installations are newer; having been installed as part of a Street Lighting PFI scheme in 2010.

The paint finish is still in good condition on these columns.

Zooming in to the lantern's optic reveals that a Cosmo-White lamp is fitted.