{On a plaque attached to the nearby railings:}
The adjacent street light is the last remaining sewer gas destructor lamp in the City of Westminster. Installed in association with Sir Joseph Bazalgette's revolutionary Victoria Embankment sewer, which opened in 1870, this cast iron ornamental lamp standard with original lantern continues to burn off residual biogas.
This may not be the original lamp standard, that having been damaged by a vehicle. It is the last such lamp, not just in Westminster, but the whole of London.
The main purpose of sewer gas destructor lamps is to remove sewer gases and their hazards, hence they are always on; the light they provide at night is a side benefit. This lamp is powered by the sewer primarily serving the Savoy Hotel.
Source .
See the first gas-lit street in the world for related gas and electricity outliers.
Site: sewer lamp (1 memorial)
WC2, Carting Lane
The statue in the background of our photo is Robert Raikes.
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