Plans to light up Erdington’s Spaghetti junction so it can be seen from outer space have met fierce opposition this week. Birmingham City Council want to light up the notorious landmark so it can compete on a global scale with the likes of the Great Wall of China. But those against the plans say it is a huge waste of energy and money and should be scrapped immediately. The idea came to light this week as the council’s head of planning and regeneration, Clive Dutton, said he wanted to see all 400 of the junction’s columns illuminated so that the intertwining roads could be viewed from space. He said that the plans, which make up part of Birmingham’s regeneration, were very much in the early stages at the moment – but this did not stop the criticism. “This seems like a huge waste of energy that won’t put Birmingham on the map in a good way,” said Joe Peacock, Joint Campaigns Coordinator for Birmingham Friends of the Earth. “When I think of Spaghetti Junction, I think of congestion and carriageways not suitable for more environmentally friendly travel like busing, walking or cycling.” Mr Dutton said that his ambition is to creatively light the junction and surrounding area to “cement” its reputation as a major landmark. “This is not blue sky thinking, this is deep space thinking and lighting up Spaghetti Junction is an expression of how brightly we want Birmingham to shine on the global stage,” he said. “Birmingham has got an ambitious, long -term regeneration strategy for the city called the Big City Plan, that includes a variety of projects relating to the economy, housing, environment, culture and education. Part of this strategy is to use light creatively to enhance the city.” But green campaigners disagreed with showcasing such a dull and grey landmark. “The lighting up of a concrete structure that symbolises all that is wrong with Birmingham’s transport infrastructure is a great idea if the city wants to be ridiculed all over the world,” said Mr Peacock. “It flies in the face of all the council’s words about reducing CO2 emissions by managing energy in the Big City Plan and its drive to become more sustainable generally.” * What do you think? Write in or email and let us know, details on page two. | 
