The LED conversion has started in Trowbridge this week. What is bizarre is that they've started on a housing estate that is predominantly SON lit first. There is some SOX in the Estate too, but no failures prior to replacement. Iridiums on 6m columns with brackets are being replaced with post-top Urbis Axia 3s. Most Beta 79s, SGS201s, 2600s and Beta 5s on 5m colums have also been replaced, but the post-top SON Gamma 6s haven't, so I'm wondering if they will fit a different model of lantern here. The newer part of the housing estate which saw Urbis Evolos from new only a few years ago are also being replaced.
Considering the amount of SOX still in use in the town on the side streets, there hasn't been many failures at all, observed from my evening walks. I imagine many lamps are probably not far off failing though. I've tried to take some photos.
The SOX lighting on the main roads is in worse condition, with a fair amount of outages or burning red lamps.
It looks like Westbury has been changed over sometime ago. Bradford-on-Avon is still to be done. It looks like some parts of Melksham have been done but not others.
I do get the impression that had SOX not become obsolete, Wiltshire would've just kept re-lamping until a failure that warranted replacement. It's a sad day that time is almost up for the eclectic mix of SOX lanterns - Including Beta 2s, Beta 5s, Alpha 9s, Gamma 6s, GEC Z9530 range, Z9580s, Z9454s, Z9554s, Z5670/76s, MA90/50s, MI50s, P22x ranges and GR100/150s!
The 1970s Beta 5s have certainly done a grand job over the years. The below was taken this week.