Lighthouse campaign calls for end to change

Lighthouse campaign calls for end to change

26 August 2020

ARCHITECTS of planned changes at the historic St John’s Point lighthouse have been asked to abort their controversial plan.

The Commissioner of Irish Lights (CIL) is planning to replace both the current rotating mechanism at the lighthouse and the existing light with a modern, low-powered LED alternative, while retaining the existing Fresnel lens.

A campaign group — the Lecale Lightkeepers —and several local politicians want the controversial proposal scrapped.

They have voiced concern that CIL is seeking tenders from specialist companies to remove liquid mercury from St John’s Point and six other lighthouses across Ireland over the next six years, beginning with two on Rathlin Island.

Campaigners and politicians are calling for the proposal to be scrapped and are concerned that tender documents have been issued, despite major opposition to any changes at St John’s Point.

CIL insists it is planning minimal changes and aims to remove mercury from the lighthouse’s current rotating lens mechanism and replace it with a German-made alternative.

In addition, the organisation insists that the engineering works planned for the Killough lighthouse will deliver a “better quality, environmentally superior solution which meets modern health and safety requirements.” 

CIL argues that it is simply removing mercury out of the rotating lens system and putting in an innovative mechanical bearing solution at the lighthouse. 

However, the claims have been firmly rejected by local people keen to see the controversial plan aborted.

According to the tender documents, CIL wants to replace the existing beam with a more environmentally friendly LED light, maintaining that it can do this while retaining the traditional lens.

In addition, the organisation says that while mercury has been used to rotate large revolving Fresnel lenses since the 1800s, with the system providing a near frictionless environments, mercury is a “toxic substance.”

CIL maintains while it has no immediate statutory requirement to remove mercury from lighthouses, it has been its policy that where re-engineering capital projects are being carried out at lighthouses, “the opportunity is taken to remove mercury”.

The organisation has confirmed that as part of the engineering upgrade works, the mercury will be removed from existing optic installations and replaced by a mechanical bearing to provide an alternative rotation mechanism.

CIL maintains that only the liquid mercury will be removed and the remaining apparatus will be retained unchanged.

South Down MLA Emma Rogan is one of a number of politicians who wants the sweeping beam retained at the Killough lighthouse and not replaced with an LED alternative.

She argues that replacing the existing beam would be “detrimental” to the heritage of St John’s Point lighthouse which has acted as a beacon for ships since 1844. 

Ms Rogan continued: “ The ‘loom of the light’ which illuminates the Co Down sky is part of the very DNA of Killough and Co Down. 

“As well as the vast majority of local residents who are in favour of retaining the light, Newry, Mourne and Down Council has also passed a motion to retain the existing light.”

Ms Rogan called on CIL to cease acting contrary to the wishes of the community and take on board their view by withdrawing this tender immediately. 

She added: “I want to commend those involved in campaigning to retain the light as it exists.”