Acrospire has partnered with Cornwall Council and contractor Enerveo to deliver a robust and long-life illuminated handrail solution for Grade II listed Jacob’s Ladder in Falmouth, replacing an ageing system that had reached the end of serviceable life
After dark, 111 granite steps shouldn’t feel like a gamble. They should feel safe.
Jacob’s Ladder stands proudly on Falmouth Moor, a Grade II listed flight of 111 steps. Commissioned in the early 19th century by local businessman Jacob Hamblen, it linked his properties and business interests across the town. Today, it remains a well-used pedestrian route and a point of interest in Falmouth’s heritage landscape, attracting visitors and forming a key link between the Moor and the popular Jacob’s Ladder Inn.
As a steep stone stairway exposed to coastal weather, lighting plays an essential role in ensuring safe use, particularly during darker months and wet conditions when surfaces can become slippery. However, the previous handrail lighting system no longer met the site’s operational needs.
“The problem we had was that the old handrail lighting system was beginning to fail and spares were no longer available,” explains Mark Vincent, County Lighting Engineer, Cornwall Council. “The steps are old, worn and well-used; they can also be very slippery when wet, so it was a priority for Cornwall Council to make sure they were properly lit.”
Cornwall Council explored the option of retrofitting a new LED lighting system into the existing handrail; however, following discussions on durability, installation practicality and cost efficiency, a full replacement proved the most advantageous route.
Acrospire supplied a new illuminated handrail solution, designed specifically for staircase and bridge applications where reliability and resilience are critical. Manufactured to withstand coastal conditions and high pedestrian footfall, the new handrail integrates 4000K 1W LED modules to create comfortable lighting with good visual clarity, while in keeping with the heritage environment.
A key part of the project involved proactive collaboration at the site level. Following a late discovery that a section of the original handrail was missing, Acrospire’s senior team attended site to remeasure and verify details to ensure accurate fabrication and maintain programme momentum.
“We have a good working relationship with Acrospire; they are always willing to help, friendly and competitively priced, and their 12‑year warranty is market leading,” says Mark Vincent. “We considered a retrofit option into the existing handrail but given the minimal cost difference between that and full replacement, it was an easy decision.”
Acrospire personally delivered the new handrail to site and provided guidance to Enerveo operatives during installation to ensure a smooth and efficient process.
“We now have a brand‑new, built‑to‑last illuminated handrail solution backed by an Acrospire warranty and the can‑do attitude of its owners and employees,” Mark adds. “The result is a safer, more reliable system that supports the accessibility of this much-loved historic route.”
Read more about Acrospire’s handrail solutions here: https://acrospire.co/ranges/handrail/
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