PFI Streetlighting Replacment - poor set back and alignments

[M19]

I've noticed with local authority areas who are replacing their streetlights on a PFI wholesale basis, the set backs and alignment of streetlights do seem to be very random.

Ideally it would be nice to see streetlights lined up in a nice row along a straight piece of road. But no. There's usually a good number of lights that are set back either closer to or further from the road, so the end result is a random jumble . You'd expect sets from the carriageway to change because of bus stops, laybys, slip roads or extra lanes but this isn't the case. In short there doesn't seem to be any logic. On local housing estates, some lamp posts have been installed at the back of the pavement whilst other have been placed at the front on the same street. Why can't they be either rather than both?

The approch reminds me of the random and illogical way of road marking.

[WHBM]

That's what you get with PFI. No input from any design issue that is not in the contract. The surveyor in charge is tasked with achieving the minimum cost that will meet the spec. Absolutely not a penny more. Does it say anything in the spec about neat layouts or aesthetic considerations ? No. So not interested. Just get that July billing out today.

[RichardA35]

That's what you get with PFI. No input from any design issue that is not in the contract. The surveyor in charge is tasked with achieving the minimum cost that will meet the spec. Absolutely not a penny more. Does it say anything in the spec about neat layouts or aesthetic considerations ? No. So not interested. Just get that July billing out today.

However much you have a downer on the PFI industry this is probably due to the far more mundane problem of other utilities snaking around in the verge.
PS All these "intelligent" Local Government Clients get the PFI deal they wanted and deserve and they must like it, they signed the contract.
If the far more intelligent Client didn't think the aesthetic issues were important enough to include in the contract this perhaps says more about the Client's personnel and the consultants he has working for him and their skills and vision for the borough/town, than the contractor.

[Bryn666]

I obviously have been corrupted by the industry as I have tried to line up a load of regulatory plates in Brighouse but don't expect any joy with it.

We think the RASWA returns will make it impossible as the footpath in question is full of junk under it.

The cure is to make new utilities go in ducts down the centre of the road but that'd be fun to see the whinging when the road has to be closed to access said duct.

At least it'd free up the footway for signs and lighting though.