Published: July 13, 2012
Decorative seafront lights in Burnham-On-Sea could be removed

Decorative lights along part of Burnham-On-Sea's seafront look set to be removed after a council survey of lighting columns revealed many have become "unstable".

Town councillors discussed the future of the decorative illuminations along the North Esplanade during a meeting on Wednesday (July 11th).

Council Clerk Eileen Shaw said: "There are issues with the lighting columns along the North Esplanade between the jetty and Maddock's Slade."

"A council survey has found the foundations of the columns are unstable and it's been recommended that the decorative lights are removed."

Councillor Paul Young said he believes the time is right to consider the future of all the decorative illuminations.

"I think we're being robbed by our power company when many of the lights don't even work and we have an annual bill of £3,500 to keep them running. All of them should come down," he said.

But Cllr Neville Jones responded: "A large number of the lights still work and many residents and visitors to Burnham very much appreciate them and remark how good they look."

He added that the electricity and maintenance costs would be reduced if the decorative lights are removed along the North Esplanade as proposed.

Councillors voted in favour of costing up the work to remove the decorative lights on the North Esplanade and moving them onto lighting columns along The South Esplanade instead.

90 of the decorative illuminations were purchased by the Town Council at a cost of £21,000 in 2007.