Abstract: A street lighting column has upper and lower sections hinged together in such manner that the upper section can be lifted by a double-acting piston and cylinder unit connected between the column sections to a position in which it is free to pivot relative to the base section. The hinge is provided with a support plate adapted to be turned to a position in which it cooperates with a lug on one of the column sections so as to support the upper column section in its raised pivotal position when the direction of action of the piston and cylinder unit is reversed, thus automatically effecting pivoting of the upper section to a position in which it is reachable from the ground.