Cottingley Towers air craft warning lights?

BarFly · Post by **BarFly** » Fri 09 Mar, 2012 7:51 pm

chameleon wrote: One of those cases where as you presume I think, that the effective height to Mr aeroplane driver is increased because of the land height there (making it a good place to have an aerial tower of course) and right on the approach to LBA isn't it? I don't think it's on the flight path ad such, but there are a few helicopters and light aircraft which take off from LBA and fly lower than the commercial airlines.The hill is certainly one of the high points of the area also, making it good for siting a water tower too -- though I'm not sure whether that is still operational?

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Fri 09 Mar, 2012 9:05 pm

Phill_dvsn wrote: keyholekate wrote: Would these be the same two red lights I see when I am coming down York Road near the flyover.In the distance I see these lights and wonder where and what they are for. Depending which part of York Road it was I think you would see the Towers yes Kate, especially up near Seacroft. I think Ravey has a photo from the site of the old Seacroft centre and you can see them, I also remember he set a quiz on what flats could be seen in the distance on the M621 by Cottingley Towers. http://flic.kr/p/9Z6o9oCheers Phill. Pic above taken from the walkway at the rear of Tesco Extra at Seacroft.Spookily enough I drive past past Cottingley Towers on the M621 most days on my way to / from work, so I won't be able to check on Monday...and it might well be too light to tell when I'm in the area now!It's a month (17th April) til I know I'll definitely be heading that way after dark so I'll check then unless anyone will be passing any sooner? I don't recall any aircraft warning lights up there though, although I could be wrong, or they are very new. There is some sort of radio tower on the opposite side of the M621 near the Scania dealership on Gelderd Road that has several red warning light on, but that isn't anywhere near as tall and has been there for years, so I doubt that is what you've spotted.On a related note, Queensview at Seacroft is the highest building in the area and at the top of the hill and I'm fairly sure that doesn't have any aircraft warning lights either (although again, I could be wrong).If interested some of the legislation relating to the siting of warning lights can be found here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009 ... /madeSeems to say anything over 150m needs lights and a lower limit applies in the area around aerodromes or on a flightpath.As it's a 2009 order, perhaps it's only just coming into force hence the new lights that have been spotted. Thinking about it I'm sure there are more lights on buildings in Leeds than there used to be...

Mork of Ork · Post by **Mork of Ork** » Sat 10 Mar, 2012 10:57 am

There are definitely more red warning lights in Leeds than there used to be. From my bedroom window in Bramley I get a good view (I can see Leeds city centre from one side of the house and that wind farm out past Halifax from t'other) and I have noticed them appearing.The first new one I remember seeing was Bridgewater place followed by The Plaza (which flashes) and several others. There is one on top of West Riding House now which I don't remember seeing until recently.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Sat 10 Mar, 2012 3:09 pm

Just driven down the M621 especially for this thread*Of the two blocks at Cottingley the one nearest the motorway has nothing visible on top apart from a forlorn looking TV aerial.The other tower, which is slightly taller (local topography?) does have a noticeable structure on the roof, which might be mobile phone masts, but doesn't look quite right - it looks a lot more squat and compact.Obviously it's bright daylight now, so there were no lights to be seen either way.* - not strictly true

BIG N · Post by **BIG N** » Sat 10 Mar, 2012 10:35 pm

Took a look this evening as I was leaving Leeds and cant see any sign of lights on either of the Cottingley towers, unless they are low on the structure and not visible until you are almost at roof level or above.One set of lights that did catch my eye though were on a coms mast in the industrial estate across the M621 from the towers (accessed from Geldard Rd ) not only on the top of the structure but also part way up it.Given that this mast is a great deal lower than the nearby towers but is illuminated it struck me as odd at first but could it be that because it is so close to the M621 it is lit up in case a helicopter ever needs to use the carrigeway for an emergency landing ?

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Sat 10 Mar, 2012 10:56 pm

BIG N wrote: Took a look this evening as I was leaving Leeds and cant see any sign of lights on either of the Cottingley towers, unless they are low on the structure and not visible until you are almost at roof level or above.One set of lights that did catch my eye though were on a coms mast in the industrial estate across the M621 from the towers (accessed from Geldard Rd ) not only on the top of the structure but also part way up it.Given that this mast is a great deal lower than the nearby towers but is illuminated it struck me as odd at first but could it be that because it is so close to the M621 it is lit up in case a helicopter ever needs to use the carrigeway for an emergency landing ? There is a business on Lowfields Road where the owner / boss flies in by helicopter on a fairly regular basis (or did until recently anyway).On the subject of contour lines, aren't OS Maps available on Bing?

BIG N · Post by **BIG N** » Sun 11 Mar, 2012 3:29 am

raveydavey wrote: There is a business on Lowfields Road where the owner / boss flies in by helicopter on a fairly regular basis (or did until recently anyway). Dont know about that Ravey but this tower is slightly further out than that, its in the industrial area off Geldard Rd after its crossed the ring road, accessed from the road that runs off Geldard Rd about where the currently derelict Packhorse pub is.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Sun 11 Mar, 2012 12:02 pm

I can't work out where those two warning lights are really, they are relatively new as I haven't seen them before this last week or two. Nothing in Leeds City centre blocks the line of Cottingley Towers, the City is well to the left of the warning lights.The lights I see are not on top of Broadcasting place (the rusty one) That one flashes on and off, the only thing that is tall between the City centre and Parkinson building at Leeds uni are those two tall circular chimneys near the Dental school. Puzzled

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Sun 11 Mar, 2012 12:14 pm

I might as well put the whole City skyline shot on too.It's amazing how many of Leeds tall buildings aren't really visible from a Northern direction, those running towards City station are all down hill.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Sun 11 Mar, 2012 12:45 pm

philld where is that picture taken from?I've often seen these man-made clouds from Otley Old Rd jnctn Tinshill Ln by tower.Never knew what power stations they were but must be quite a distance off.http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2789118