Recent News

• New lights for Dartmouth could cost Thousands

  August 05 2013

  Getting Dartmouth to see the light could cost the town’s council tax payers a whopping £23,000.
  That is how much it could cost the town to put up new lights across the town centre – from Lower Street to the Market Square.
  But before anything happens the town council wants to see if there is anyone out there prepared to help foot the bill – including the town’s traders and the regatta, food and music festival organisers.
  Town councillors have been looking at extending the current system of town lights to cover a much wider area of the town – with the aim of having the town centre lit up for the various Dartmouth festivals as well as for Christmas.
  A report that went before town councillors revealed that the only company they could find to supply the lights, install and maintain them was asking for £22,758.
  That would have involved lighting up:
  l The tree close to Jillys Farm shop in the market square.
  l The town Christmas tree in Royal Avenue Gardens.
  l The three trees on the north side of the Boatfloat.
  l All the shops along the Quay and Spithead.
  l Both sides of Duke Street, Fairfax Street and Lower Street.
  The report pointed out that the quote included the installations, a 24-hour call out service, maintenance and a four-hour emergency response.
  The town council now wants a council working group to take another look at the project – especially the issues surrounding the possible need for planning permission.
  They also want councillors to investigate sources of external funding for the lights.
  The councillors heard that they only have £8,000 in their town lights budget – which would be enough to cover both sides of Duke Street, the Quay, Spithead, the Christmas tree and one tree next to the Boatfloat.