A leading campaigner for the preservation of Southport’s unique heritage has won an assurance that work to restore the town’s historic lamp posts will be completed soon.
Earlier this year, Cllr David Barton called for the work to be done urgently as part of an initiative to showcase the best of the town to corporate visitors and potential investors attending The Open golf championship.
Now the Dukes Ward representative, who first raised the issue of the lamp posts in 2014, has gained assurances from Sefton Council’s street lighting department that the work will be completed as soon as possible.
The replica style Promenade Lamp Posts, installed back in 1995, will be repainted and the missing lighting refitted in due course.
Cllr Barton said: “The painting of the columns on Lord Street was suspended due to The Open golf works embargo, as was the requirement for tree pruning to allow safe working etc.
“But I have now been told that the painting contractor has been instructed to recommence works on Lord Street at the earliest opportunity.
“The lantern replacement scheme on the Promenade is progressing slower than expected due to an unforeseen issue with re-cabling the columns but once all the lanterns are fitted on Promenade scheme the painting will be completed. “
Cllr Barton said the completed project would be great for the local community and allow people to admire the full restoration of the 110 ornamental lamp posts that adorn the Promenade from Park Road West in the North down to the Esplanade in the South.
He said: “Besides providing safe and clear passage for the night time economy, including local members of the neighbourhood who may wish to appreciate their coastal surroundings, this will also further enhance the area through illuminating the Promenade Conservation Area, potentially attracting attractive investment opportunities for long-vacant civic buildings such as the former Manhattans nightclub, which is directly adjacent several of the presently defective lamp posts.
“I would like to extend my appreciations once again to the council departments responsible who have continued to duly assist me and my constituents to boost our historic local environment.
“This is a welcome step forwards towards delivering on the feedback and wishes of the local townspeople.
“Should anyone else have any defective street lighting on their street they should contact me and I will be happy to assist with having this duly rectified as soon as possible.”