Client: Watford Council

Overview

‘Ghost Train’
Cross fading LED, Steel, Landscaping and Planting Variable
Bushey Arches Watford Junction
In collaboration with Green Heart Partnership
Regeneration of area incorporating light sculpture, signage, landscaping
(Collaboration with landscape Architects, Watford Borough Council & Herts Highways)
A monument of sorts celebrating Robert Stephenson who built and designed the junction at Bushey arches
By setting up a fake train track and tunnels underneath the actual tracks

Goals

The work was a complex system of organisation between the Hertfordshire Highways,
local Constabulary, Department of Environment council officers and local residents
The work was a clean-up operation –with consultations with local residents in order to establish a way forward with many meetings discussions with the local constabulary regarding frequent problems with local youth in the area fly tipping pigeon problems along with many other issues Work was also developed with Noel Kinsgbury for his professional advice on the type of plants to be used that would be both refection of the evening colours of the lights -three cross fades – turquoise – violet and purple (keeping away from the reds and greens for traffic management reasons) as well as for non-maintenance yearly hardy plants

Process

The main priority was how to use the limited budget to its best potential by affective lighting and minimal materials with high criteria for vandalism and to date is still intact
(3 years old) The view of nearly all consultations were that if it was made well with a positive civic approach then it what not be destroyed and vandalised and to date is an area of civic pride and the youths of the area have left it alone so has been successful winning an award for the council. More projects of this type are to be developed particularly run down roundabouts in London using this as a pilot project to develop budgets.

Additional Information

This project was completed in March 2009.