Fact Service October 2022

Issue 40

Union wants gas lights kept

The GMB general union has called on Westminster Council to preserve 275 nineteenth century gas lamps. They are operated and maintained by the union’s members.

The council plans to install LED lights within the existing lanterns.

Andy Prendergast, GMB national secretary, said: “No one is arguing the progress but deciding to replace them will wipe out years of history.

“With the potential to convert them to hydrogen just around the corner, such a decision would be a short-sighted attack on our capital’s heritage.”

https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/westminster-council-must-save-historic-gas-lamps