Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) has announced work will begin this month to remove several heritage lanterns from part of the city’s seafront and install temporary replacements.
Recent inspections of more than 80 lanterns on Marine Parade and Madeira Drive found 20 pose a safety risk and should be removed and replaced urgently. Forty more will be replaced within the next 12 months.
The work will see both the bracket and lanterns from each of the affected columns removed and replaced with temporary lighting until a permanent solution can be found.
BHCC has stated that contractors have been instructed to try and preserve the original materials wherever possible and an independent consultancy firm who specialise in lighting will be working with English Heritage to consider long term solutions to restore the historic lanterns.
Amy Heley, Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said: “We need to carry out this work urgently as some of the lighting now poses a risk to public safety.
“Our seafront lighting is an iconic part of the city and we will be looking at options for replacing the lanterns so that we don’t lose any of that visual history, but the safety of our residents and visitors is a key priority.
“The lanterns will be replaced with temporary lighting to ensure the areas are well lit and safe for people to continue using.”
If you have any questions about street lighting in the city, you can contact the team directly by email streetlighting@brighton-hove.gov.uk