Laser Technology Ltd has been awarded a ground breaking contract to provide monumental laser effects for Blackpool Tower.
Five UK laser display companies were invited to tender for the project and after completing an arduous tendering exercise Laser Technology were delighted to be awarded this exciting and innovative contract.
Lasers will project vivid beams and patterns covering the skyline in all directions from the top of the tower, this effect will be clearly visible from up to 30 miles away, thus drawing attention to the Blackpool resort on a far grander scale than previous lighting effects have been able to. Working closely with Blackpool Council, the CAA and Blackpool airport Laser Technology have developed a set of safety guidelines for the system operation.
The airport management team, air traffic control and the CAA ensure flights are not disrupted during operational times and safety is not compromised. A schedule of flight activity is logged every day and the laser council staff conform to a very strict code of operation. Blackpool International Airport is not a major airport at present but is expanding and the wireless safety solution has been designed to grow with the airport.
The system is operated over a High power Motorola Ethernet wireless link from the council offices over 3km away. Our Nemesis timeline based laser show software communicates with the laser projector via a RIYA Ethernet to ILDA interface. The 35W Excalibur solid state YAG laser also incorporates an Ethernet interface which allows the laser to be started and controlled from 3km away.
All status information is transmitted from the laser to a user interface at the council offices allowing them to monitor flow, temperature and other status information. Regular handshaking messages are sent over the link and in the event of radio link failure the lasers automatically shut down.
A second radio link connects the Blackpool tower projector to Blackpool airport located over 4.5km away. This safety feature gives the airport ultimate control on laser emission. This feature is rarely used as the council staff agree a daily routine based on traffic schedules. However if an emergency situation arose the airport control tower could immediately override the laser shutter. This operation will update the laser operator that the airport have prevented laser projection. Again a fail safe system is implemented in the event of failure of the radio link the shutter will be automatically closed. Specially written software and hardware were developed for this and it runs on a tablet PC situated in the control tower.
Councillor Maxine Callow, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration & Tourism, said: “This is a very exciting project which will enhance the illuminations display not just along the Promenade but will be a beacon to visitors travelling to the resort.
“Blackpool has always been synonymous with light and this is a great opportunity to create our own ‘Blackpool Beacon’ to welcome visitors and residents.”

Laser Technology commented, “this is the first time we have designed a laser to be used in this hostile environment and this is the highest laser we have ever installed.”