We need historic lights in top form
ORNAMENTAL lamp-posts and lanterns which are a historic part of Southport’s street scene are in need of vital repairs before they become an eyesore, a councillor says.
Cllr David Barton highlighted the issue as part of the ongoing mission to restore and regenerate Southport with a view to attracting high-quality investment in the retail sector.
He is also calling on fellow district councillors to now support his funding request for more regular cleaning and structural maintenance of the ornamental lamp-posts along Lord Street.
He has requested various locations be incorporated into the council’s budget programme for restoration, such as Tulketh Street, Bridge Street and Lord Street West.
Cllr Barton, who represents Dukes Ward on Sefton Council, said: “The ornamental circular lamp- posts along Lord Street have become particularly corroded and tarnished from the elements as evidenced clearly at the central and southern cross-sections from Corporation Street to Duke Street.
“A full strip and repainting costs £125 for a 4-metre ornamental circular balustrade lamppost, including cast-iron globe gallery, and £130 for a 10-metre steel lamppost.
“The works would involve a full scraping down and repainting with resistant paint lasting up to a decade.
“Simultaneously, as part of my ongoing inquiries and lobbying of the council, I have also sought costings to explore the potential of replacing the cast iron rim caps joining the orb heads with the lamp-post columns with a more resistant visually identical material alongside retaining and scraping down the same castiron rim caps joining the orb heads to the lamppost columns.”
Cllr Barton has also sought to complete a restorative project dating back to 2008 at the southern end of the high street.
Previously, both the northern and central cross-sections received a Lottery Heritage Fund grant for the entire reconstruction of the balustrade walling and the lampposts were extensively treated by specialists.
He is specifically seeking a continuation of the work carried between Manchester Road and East Bank Street, where the orb fittings were exchanged for a cleaner new crystal white fluorescence in contrast to the old yellow sulphur heads seen between Portland Street to Duke Street.
This would also include a minority of heads directly situated outside the Atkinson Arts Centre.
Cllr Barton said: “Another request I have submitted is the possibility of additional ornamental lamp-post loc- ations along Lord Street to continue the symmetrical streamlined landscape, as seen at Garrick Parade.
“Ultimately, after much hard work, energy, effort and investment from both the public and private sectors so far I am hoping the other district councillors can truly serve the best interests of their community and finally grant permission for this funding request which would support incumbent and prospective investors for Southport’s tourist and retail economies.
“Should this full restorative funding request be met, this may actually help encourage investment from other prominent members in the local community seeking to boost Southport’s fortunes and reputation as a classic resort town worthy of high-quality boutiques and subsequent consumer spending once more.”