07.

Blyth Quay

A Melting Pot of Heritage, Industry, and Innovation

Blyth Quay is a site defined by its unique character—a striking mix of heavy industry, rich maritime heritage, cutting-edge renewables, and a proud community that drives it.

In 2018, Vision Illumination was commissioned to modernise the lighting scheme at Blyth Quay. The brief was clear: transition the site from energy-intensive sodium lamps to LED technology while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the historic waterfront.

To ensure minimal visual impact, we utilised our Brunel luminaire, which mirrors the aesthetic of traditional swan neck gas lights. Each unit was finished in Blue RAL 5002 to match the existing columns, which remained in situ to preserve the site's original character.

The Challenge: Weathering the Storm

Not every project follows a linear path, and coastal environments are notoriously unforgiving. In 2022, a series of heavy storms—compounded by the relentless, salt-heavy climate—revealed a vulnerability in the BSP attachment at the lantern top.

Rather than offering a temporary fix, we leaned into our core values of agility and collaboration:

Testing & Design: We worked directly with the client to analyse the stress points caused by extreme gusts.

Engineering Excellence: We developed upgraded, robust components specifically designed to withstand high-velocity winds and corrosive environments.

Strategy Shift: We successfully integrated these upgrades mid-production, phasing the new components into all Brunel lanterns to ensure maximum durability for the future.

"Collaborating with the customer and having the agility to shift strategy mid-production is something we pride ourselves on. It allows us to address problems head-on and ensure minimum downtime for both the client and the public." Adam Wilkinson - Business Development Manager

The Legacy: 8 Years On

As of April 2026, the full Blyth Quay scheme remains fully operational. Despite the harsh coastal conditions that have battered the North East over the last eight years, the luminaires continue to perform at peak efficiency.

The project stands as a benchmark for how heritage aesthetics can be preserved through modern engineering, proving that even in the face of nature’s challenges, quality design and a proactive partnership will always shine through.