Weather Tonight: 9°c Light showers Morning: 14°c Overcast

News

HEADLINES:

Wood you believe it: Venice goes plastic


23.10.09

Venice is set to lose its trademark striped wooden mooring poles and canal markers as they are swapped for plastic ones, ending a 600-year-old tradition.

Officials estimate that there are more than 90,000 of the posts dotted around the islands and canals which link the city.

Switching to plastic will save the cash-strapped council millions in replacement costs.

Reader views (1)

 Add your view

How very sad. They only have to replace a few every year and elsewhere companies like BT in the UK must replace telegraph poles at a far greater rate and that is economic for BT so how come this is somehow uneconomic for Venice? I have watched these poles being replaced in Venice and seen the time it takes BT to do the same. They seem very similar to me. I can see that the tripod pole arrangements will be more complicated but so they will with plastic. Sounds like Venice needs to buy in the forward wood market!

- Patrick, St Albans, UK


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 

Don't Miss
  • Lenny Henry

    Lenny Henry: 'Maybe one day we can have a black Doctor Who'

    As he wins the outstanding newcomer prize at the Evening Standard theatre awards for his role as Othello, Lenny Henry has come a long way from black and white minstrels
  • John and Edward

    Spread of the Jedhead

    Jedward, voted off the X-Factor this weekend, are the most obvious proponents of the sticky-uppy look - but the style crosses boundaries of age, gender, sexuality and taste, says Nick Curtis

Sky in plot to hire students on the cheap

Sky News is currently recruiting students as reporters for its coverage of next year's general election. However, the opportunity doesn't quite seem so appealing

All stories


Promotions

Environmental initiatives

Find out how you can help to meet the challenges of climate change in London.


The Open University

Every year The Open University helps thousands of professionals progress in their careers.


Win the Best Seats

In London theatre when you vote for your favourite celebrity spec wearer.


Breast Cancer Care

Donate £1 and leave a message of support for a loved one in the Swarovski Garden of Wishes.


Win an iPodTouch

With Courvoisier when you share your thoughts on this week's cocktail.