Bid to get lamp-posts listed gets support

Many of the historic street lamps were first used in about 1849, before being converted from gas to electricity in the 1960s. Earlier this year North Yorkshire County Council began replacing a number of the town’s Victorian lamps with modern posts due to safety fears.

The announcement provoked concerns from the public and because of the historic significance of the traditional cast iron lamp-posts, Harrogate Civic Society has written to English Heritage asking them to consider listing a number of those located in prominent locations in Crown Place, outside the Crown Hotel and in Crescent Gardens.

Yesterday Coun Richard Cooper, the leader of Harrogate Borough Council said he has written to English Heritage pledging the council’s support for the civic society’s stance.

Harrogate Borough Council has already said it plans to set aside funds of £40,000 to re-clad 100 of the most visible street lamps in the conservation area of the town to ensure they maintain a historic look.

Coun Cooper said: “These traditional lamp-posts are part of the distinctive character of Harrogate and set us apart from other towns.”

North Yorkshire County Council says a number of the lamps have developed problems, including wiring concerns, and have deteriorated to the extent they now pose safety risks.