3 Jun 2024
In an innovative twist to flood resilience, York Council is turning lampposts into the city's newest storytellers.
The Ousewem project is bringing talking lampposts to North Yorkshire, engaging the community with interactive conversations about natural flood management (NFM).
“We’re excited to introduce cutting-edge interactive technology to increase understanding of how water is impacting our local area and community,” said Victoria Murray, Innovative Flood Resilience Project Manager at City of York Council.
Tiernan Mines, CEO of Hello Lamp Post, the tech partner in this venture, shared the enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to embark on this new collaboration with Ousewem, led by City of York Council. Together, we look forward to addressing the critical issue of flood resilience in Yorkshire.”
These loquacious lampposts are not just about novelty, though. They’ll be dishing out evolving educational materials and resources, keeping the community informed and engaged over time. “We’re encouraging everyone to keep an eye out for our talking signs when out and about!” added Murray.
So, there you have it. Next time you take a stroll, don’t be surprised if a lamppost tries to talk to you. It’s all part of the city’s latest bright idea to boost flood awareness and resilience.