10:07am Friday 27th November 2009
By Jenny Makin
CHRISTMAS lights have been removed from Southampton’s historic Bargate over fears they could damage the monument in strong winds.
The fairy lights were draped across the top of the Bargate in time for last weekend’s big switch-on in the city centre.
But within an hour they had to be turned off, thought to be due to a power-related issue, as gusts of wind and torrential rain left them lashing against the stone.
Council chiefs and city centre management have now removed the twinkling lights altogether, plunging the landmark into darkness.
A structural survey is also being carried out on a towering Christmas tree perched on top of the Bargate to ensure it won’t harm the structure.
While that is being carried out the small twinkling lights on the tree as well as others attached to the lampposts have been switched off.
The string of lights dangling from the monument were removed on Tuesday.
It’s the first time fairy lights have been put up on the Bargate. They were paid for by the weekly market stall holders.
The tree was funded by Westquay Retail Park and will remain over the festive season if it’s deemed to be strong enough in bad weather.
Royston Smith, deputy leader of the council, said: “It’s much more important to protect one of Southampton’s ancient monuments than risk it being harmed by a bunch of fairy lights.
“Obviously we want lights in the city for people to enjoy, but in the end the potential damage outweighed that.”
The rest of the city centre’s lights are still on with no reported problems.
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