WRTL Vectra Lantern Installations
The WRTL Vectra was one of the UK's most iconic lanterns. It could come in three sizes depending on the lamp-type and application. The small lantern was for 50W-70W SON or MH, the medium size was for 100W-250W SON or MH, and the largest size was for 250W-400W SON or MH. Flat glass, deep-polycarbonate and curved-tempered glass bowls were available.
Birmingham
Column 5 of George Street supports a post-top Vectra. The column is a newer replacement to an old cast-iron, although some cast-irons still exist along here.
A post-top Vectra is installed along Bloomsbury Street, where a Philips SGS203 was installed previously.
These Vectras are located along The Broadway, on 8m columns:
I took close-ups of the two closest lanterns.
Brownhills
This twin-arm installation is located along the A5, just before a large junction. This was installed pre-2009 to replace a column with two 180W Philips MA60s.
After photographing the previous example, I spotted another Vectra along the same road - this one missing it's cover!
With the cover missing, the gear is visible:
Crewe
This Vectra is located on a pedestrian crossing outside of Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre.
Despite it being located on a crossing, it is not the Zebra version. The lamp is also very blackened, and likely EOL.
Fazeley
Fazeley, Tamworth is lit by a healthy amount of Vectra-2s (medium-sized) running 150W SON-T lamps. Below is column E70 of the B5404.
Despite being a but manky, the lantern is still operating well!
Column E68 (left) and E67 (right):
This Vectra is located on column E69, the black colour of the back panel has been almost-completely bleached by the sun.
Column E1 of Coleshill Street sports a Vectra with a damaged back panel. So-much-so that it is held shut by tightly wound tape.
Hammerwich
These large Vectras light the roundabout connecting Meerash Lane and Hanney Hay road.
The Hanney Hay Road bridge gives a nice view of other large Vectras lighting the M6 toll road, each running a 250W SON lamp.
Tamworth
The WRTL Vectra is most commonly used in its 150W SON form here in Tamworth, most commonly on the A5 as a replacement for failed Philips Trafficvisions. Only about 3 or 4 now remain on the Tamworth stretch of the A5 since the central reservation's double armed columns had LEDs installed in 2011, and Highways stopped replacing failed lights on this road. This one however is easily accessible, covering the opposite side of the same pedestrian bridge that This Urbis Axia 1 lights up. It is believed to run either 100W or 150W SON.
Much like the Axia 1 mentioned Local Axia 1s, it is mounted on a 10m hinged column, which is stationed on ground-level.
The bowl has suffered some extreme yellowing over the years, as this lantern was installed sometime prior to 2009. As you can see, it could do with a hose down!
150W Vectras are also installed at 8m along Marston Park.
The lantern on column 2:
