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CU
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Concrete Utilities Limited
Great Amwell
Ware
Herts
England
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Made the first reinforced concrete columns in Europe in 1931. They were installed in Liverpool. - [Public Lighting, Golden Jubilee, 1974]
They issued their first list in 1931 which showed 7 designs of columns up to 15' high to spigot. - Catalogue 1938
Produced the first fluted concrete columns in Europe in 1935 for the Gas Light and Coke Company. - [Public Lighting, Golden Jubilee, 1974]
In 1936 produced the first 25' concrete columns in Europe for Blackpool. - [Public Lighting, Golden Jubilee, 1974]
There are 18 designs of column by 1936. - Advert 1936
The firm exhibited four columns and brackets at the APLE's Conference in Folkestone. They were described as distinctive and modern giving
dignity to any lighting scheme. The flat surface of the column reflected the light from the lantern and from the
headlights of vehicles and so increased their safety value as beacons. (The beacon effect most useful to motorists
in the early hours of the morning when lamps are extinguished.) They noted the wide range of
columns and brackets to suit particular environments. All were scientifically designed with necessary reinforcement
to give a strength equal to withstand severe shock - they were spun and vibrated. When raising and lowering gear was
used then all cables and the winch are totally enclosed and no unsightly clips spoil the lines of the column. - APLE Conference Programme 1937
The firm are exhibiting a 5' projection Shakespeare Bracket and a 4' projection New Arc bracket. A well-produced
brochure has just been issued. The firm has had many years' experience in design and manufacturer of Concrete Lamp Columns
and many thousands have been installed in this country and some abroad. - APLE Conference Programme 1938
Two brochures were issued in 1938. "Modern Lamp Columns" includes the high columns whilst "Modern Lighting" includes
short columns. - Catalogue 1938
Described as the "pioneer of Concrete Lighting Columns", the firm are showing two columns of the
Avenue design which have been given approval by the Royal Fine Arts Commission.
The flat surfaces of the colums reflect the light from the lanterns and from the headlights of
vehicles, so increasing their safety value as beacons. (The beacon effect most useful to motorists
in the early hours of the morning when lamps are extinguished.)
New features are columns giving 25' mounting height taking up on 12¼" and 9½"
pavement width. Columns can be supplied in rubbed, ground or polished terazzo finish. - APLE Conference Programme 1939
Have supplied 50,000 concrete columns to hundreds of boroughs around the country. - [Public Lighting #17, 1940]
Have started production of concrete bollards and smaller Tom Thumb units. - [Public Lighting #17, 1940]
The "originators of the Reinforced Concrete Column for street lighting" are displaying a set of water colours of
their designs including the "Arc" series of brackets, two of which have been approved by the Royal Fine Arts Commission.
A column base is on display showing the reinforcement and door fitting which only occupies 9½" across the pavement.
A composite concrete lantern head is mentioned, which the firm have the patent for, and which is being developed in
conjunction with Siemens Electric Lamps And Supplies Limited. The firm are
also proposing the manufacture of a series of concrete bollards.- APLE Conference Programme 1945
Partnered with Sugg to produce the Sugg C.U. bracket and column for the Sugg 8000. A full-size
sectional model of a 1' 6" bracket illustrates the method of taking the cable through to the lantern, patented tension
bolt fixing, and safety tube. - APLE Conference Programme 1946
Are showing their patented method of fixing concrete brackets. Also on show are scale models of
their latest diesng of columns with several sections of concrete showing various finishes available.
They claim a distinct feature in their bracket fixing which incorporate tension bolt and safety tube.
The narrow base pole (Avenue 3DNN) is shown which occupies only 9½-in. across the pavement. The
firm have always used rubbed cement finish as the concrete column should have a chance to weather and
eventually match the surroundings, and not have an artificial smooth surface produced by grinding. - APLE Conference Programme 1946
They claim a distinct feature in their bracket fixing which incorportates tension bolt and safety tube. This ensures a rigid
and secure fixing, with safety and long life, as minimum strain is imposed on the concrete surfaces under compression at the
junction of shaft and bracket. The company is also exhibiting some special units developed with
Sugg Limited showing a special bracket on an Avenue 2D column enclosing a box
which houses the control equipment. Also included will be some of the latest fluorescent lantern types with columns designed in
collaboration with the manufacturers. - APLE Conference Programme 1947
On the demonstration site at Princess Park, the firm erected 10 Group "A" columns with "Arc II" and "Avenue" type
brackets, ranging from 2 ft. 6 ins. to 6 ft. outreach. They also demonstrated two columns with 2 ft. 6 ins. double arm
brackets and four types of Group "B" columns. The firm can offer delivery from four works at Ware, Cardiff, Ipswich and
Liverpool. With the exception of one column, all exhibited showed the rubbed cement finish. Although a ground finish can
be supplied, atmospheric corrosion will remove free cement and give a natural pitted appearance - this is not
detrimental to the column and enables it to weather to tone with the surrounding buildings. Also exhibited were columns
designed to take the latest designs of fluorescent lanterns by the General Electric Co. Ltd. and British
Thomson-Houston Co., Ltd.. William Sugg & Co. Ltd. have also been developing brackets with the firm and the
Sugg C.U. Avenue 2D Column with special bracket arm was shown. - [Public Lighting #48, 1947]
Claim to be the originators of reinforced concrete columns for street lighting. Are showing
scale models of their latest columns, several blocks of concrete showing finishes, and their
patented method of fixing concrete columns (which incorporates a tension bolt and safety tube).
This ensures rigidity, security and long life, as minimum strain is imposed on the concrete surfaces
under compression at the junction of the shaft and the bracket. One of the models shows the
Avenue 3DN. The firm have always favoured the rubbed cement finish as they feel that concrete
columns should weather and eventually match their surroundings and not have an artificial smooth
surface, produced by grinding. They believe in the rubbed cement finish as a long term
proposition, but are prepared to supply a ground finish if required. - APLE Conference Programme 1948
Claiming to be the originators of the concrete column for street lighting purposes. Various finishes are
on display, such as the standard rubbed cement finish, rubbed Mountsorrel finish (giving a touch of colour to
the normal cement finishing) and types of smooth ground finish in Mountsorrel and other aggregates. All columns
using overhanging brackets use the Company's patented method of securing bracket arms to shafts. (This is the tension
bolt fixing method, Patent No. 490506 and when used in combination with the safety tube, gives absolute security
with minimum of movement in the bracket/shaft joint. This method ensures the minimum strain being
imposed on the concrete surface under compression at the junction of shaft and bracket.) They
are exhibiting the narrow base type of column, occupying only 9½-in. across the pavement, but which gives
ample base accommodation for operating gear. This narrow base shaft is available for bracket arms up to and including
5-ft. projection. Company has started pioneering work for the manufacture of columns incorporating the
prestressed method of tensioning the reinforcement - but a lot of work has yet to be done to apply it to
street lighting columns in bulk production. All columns are fitted with the latest door and lock,
patented by the company, and it is claimed this is interference proof. - APLE Conference Programme 1949
Manufactured the first British made high masts in 1966. These were installed at the Severn Bridge approaches. - [Public Lighting, Golden Jubilee, 1974]
Installed the longest high mast installation in the world, near Melbourne in Australia, in 1971. - [Public Lighting, Golden Jubilee, 1974]
Also in 1971, developed the first world desgin of a double drum winch for high masts. - [Public Lighting, Golden Jubilee, 1974]
And, also in 1971, developed the first Frangible Joint Columns as developed by the Road Research Laboratory. [Slightly
disputed - see Sugg's Automatic Cut-Off Bollards in 1938 - but CU hold claim for
columns]. These are installed on the A1 near Doncaster. - [Public Lighting, Golden Jubilee, 1974]
Established a Museum Of Street Lighting in 1975 as part of the celebrations surrounding the firm's Golden Jubilee.
References:
APLE Exhibition Catalogue Folkestone 1937
APLE Conference Programme Bournemouth 1938
APLE Conference Programme Glasgow 1939
APLE Conference Programme Glasgow 1945
APLE Conference Programme London 1946
APLE Conference Programme Southport 1947
APLE Conference Programme Eastbourne 1948
APLE Conference Programme Llandudno 1949
- External Links:
- Grace's Guide
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