Stormont hears of campaign to to retain beam

Stormont hears of campaign to to retain beam

11 February 2015

THE campaign to retain the lamp at St. John’s Point Lighthouse in Killough has been taken to Stormont Environment Minister Mark Durkan.

He has been asked to help overturn a decision by the Commissioner of Irish Lights (CIL) to replace the lamp with a static LED light because of health and safety concerns.

The existing lamp floats on a bed of mercury and the Commissioner wants to remove the “hazardous and dangerous substance” and install a new LED lamp.

CIL has also confirmed one of its senior officials will be attending next month’s public meeting to discuss the replacement of the lamp at distinctive lighthouse.

The March 14 meeting, which is being held at the former Spar shop at Ardglass harbour, has been called by local residents amid increasing concern about the controversial plan to replace the lighthouse’s lamp with an LED light.

Residents along the East Down coastline and fishermen based in Ardglass are opposed to the move and have described the lamp as part of the area’s maritime history.

News a senior official from the Commissioner of Irish Lights will take part in next month’s public meeting has been confirmed by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie. She is backing the campaign for the lamp’s retention and raised the issue with Mr. Durkan.

Miss Ritchie said St. John’s Point lighthouse is not only a building of “significant heritage value,” but provides an important safety mechanism for Irish Sea mariners and fishermen. She explained she raised the issue with the Environment Minister given the heritage value of the lighthouse  beam.

The South Down MP has also raised the issue with the Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ and Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers’ organisations which represent fishermen at the three Co. Down fishing ports.

Miss Ritchie added: “Both these organisations value the contribution the beam the St. John’s Point lighthouse makes to fishermen in the Irish Sea. I will continue to pursue this issue in order to secure a resolution for the local communities in Killough and Ardglass.”

Councillor Dermot Curran said he shares the view of residents that Lecale cannot afford to lose a vital piece of its history.

“It concerns me greatly that the Commissioners intend to replace the sweeping beam with a static flashing light. We cannot allow this to happen. This decision must be overturned,” he declared.

“As residents have rightly pointed out, the lamp is of cultural and historical significance which we must campaign to protect. Ardglass fishermen support the retention of the lamp which is visible up to 30 miles away and has for generations guided mariners and fishermen home safely. The replacement LED light has a range of just 18 miles.

“This treasured lamp is one particular asset Killough and Lecale simply can’t afford to lose. The local community is determined to do all it can to retain the lamp and can be assured of my full support.”