Trafalgar Square's fountain lights go hi-tech green

The latest improvements to Trafalgar Square include an innovative green-energy lighting system that will not only save money but provide state-of-the-art lighting for the square’s fountains.

The new system will enable the fountains to be lit up in different colours to tie in with major events, further enhancing the square as a key world destination that attracts 13 million visitors each year.

The improvements will also cut the carbon footprint of the fountain lighting by an estimated 90 per cent, saving 16,400 kilograms of carbon every year, as well as saving thousands of pounds on energy bills.

The work, which began in March, also included renovation of metalwork, conservation of the merman, dolphins and tritons, as well as cleaning, pointing and repair of stonework. In addition, work on the three pumps, which power the fountains with continuously recirculated water, means the fountains will cascade higher than has been seen for around thirty years.

“This is the final major piece of the transformation of one the greatest public squares in time for the 2012 Games,” said London Mayor Boris Johnson. “It brings together the old and the new in a way that London does so well and 60 years since work began on the present layout, it is a brilliant way to help kick off the Story of London festival — which is about celebrating the capital’s past, present and future.”

The new LED lighting system was first used last Thursday to herald in the Story of London ferstival, which began Monday and runs throughout June.